Early Sunday, a fire broke out at the Seth Leslie Cheney mansion on 139 Hartford Road in Manchester, Connecticut. The blaze started on the front porch and quickly spread into the living room. Fire crews from Manchester and East Hartford arrived fast. They worked hard and managed to control the fire in about 40 minutes.
The mansion was built around 1840. It is an important part of Manchester’s history. The house was built by the Cheney family. They helped build the silk mills that made the town famous. Over the years, the mansion grew from a small cottage into a grand home. In 1910, architect Charles Adams Platt, who was also a member of the Cheney family, added a large expansion. This work added new rooms and changed the look of the house.
Local fire officials say that the damage is not too severe. Fire Marshal David Mauldin told reporters that the building is “completely salvageable.” He said the fire mainly damaged the front porch and the living room. The rest of the building remains strong. Mauldin believes that repair work could start in a few months.
Town historian Susan Barlow said the mansion is very special. She recalled that the house once looked much smaller and more like a cottage. Over time, the mansion grew along with its owners. Barlow said that the house has seen many changes over the years. In later years, the mansion was turned into a bed and breakfast. In 1995, Bruce and Marianne Hamstra bought the property from the Cheney family. They worked hard to fix the house and opened the Mansion Inn Bed & Breakfast in 2001. The Hamstras ran the business until 2017. The current owners now use the mansion as a private home.
Neighbor Grace Zapor, who lives near the mansion, said she saw fire trucks rushing to the scene around 1 a.m. Sunday. She watched smoke rise above the tree line and felt a sense of worry for the old home. Zapor praised the fire department for their quick work. She noted that the mansion had very dry wood in some areas because of its age. She hopes that the damage is limited and that the house can be saved.
Tragically, the fire also claimed the lives of several cats that lived at the mansion. Two residents had to leave their home due to the fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt. An investigation found smoking materials on the porch. This finding suggests that the fire started by accident.
Manchester has several grand homes built by the Cheney family. These homes are a part of the town’s heritage. Some have suffered damage in the past from fires or neglect. For example, the Philip Cheney mansion on Forest Street once experienced a fire while its owners tried to restore it. The Austin Cheney mansion at 99 Hartford Road has also faced hard times over the years. Despite these setbacks, many people in Manchester hope that the Seth Cheney mansion can be restored.
Local leaders and preservationists are now working to find a way to repair the mansion. They believe that the building can be fixed with proper work and care. Fire Marshal Mauldin is confident that the structural integrity of the house is still intact. This gives hope to many in the community who value the mansion as a local treasure.
The fire is a sad event for Manchester. However, the town did not lose an icon. The community now looks forward to restoring the mansion. With careful repairs and the support of local residents, the mansion can once again stand as a proud part of Manchester’s history. The story of the Cheney family and their grand homes will continue to be told for many years to come.