GDG- Fw: Historic Biggs Farmhouse Damaged by Fire at Gettysburg National Military Park

[Robert Lawrence]

--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


-----Original Message-----
From: Katie_Lawhon at nps.gov <Katie_Lawhon at nps.gov>
Sent: Tue Apr 24 11:05:09 2007
Subject: Historic Biggs Farmhouse Damaged by Fire at Gettysburg National Military Park

 <<Frey farm house fire April 24 2007 005.jpg>> 


National Park Service
                                                                          
 U.S. Department of the        Gettysburg            97 Taneytown Road    
 Interior                      National Military     Gettysburg, PA 17325 
                               Park                                       
                                                     717/334-1124 phone   
                                                     717/ 334-1891 fax    
                                                                          





Gettysburg National Military Park News Release

For Release: April 24, 2007
Contact: Katie Lawhon
Phone: 717/ 334-1124 x452


Historic Biggs Farmhouse Damaged by Fire at Gettysburg National Military
Park



A fire damaged the Basil Biggs House on the Gettysburg battlefield earlier

today, Gettysburg National Military Park officials have announced. At 3

a.m. on April 24, smoke alarms alerted emergency responders to the

situation. A fire suppression system installed in the historic house in

2002 activated and three fire companies responded to the blaze.



The fire started in the attic of the structure. The roof has extensive

damage, and the interior has water damage. A park employee and his family

live in the home and were able to escape with no injuries. The cause of the

fire is still under investigation. No cost estimate for the damage is

available at this time.



The Basil Biggs farmhouse dates to 1850-1860. Located at 350 Taneytown

Road, the house was behind Union battle lines on Cemetery Ridge during the

Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and troops used it for cover and concealment.

Its position close to major battle action made it one of the busiest of the

forward hospital aid stations during the battle.



In 2002, Gettysburg National Military Park received special funding for and

installed fire suppression systems in 50 historic structures on the

Gettysburg battlefield, including the Biggs farmhouse.



The Basil Biggs farmhouse is also known as the P. Frey farmhouse.







                                   -NPS-





Photo attached courtesy of Gettysburg National Military Park.


(See attached file: Frey farm house fire April 24 2007 005.jpg)












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