Fire Destroys Historic New Jersey Inn
SERGEANTSVILLE, N.J. (CBS) -- Flames ripped through a historic inn and restaurant early Monday morning in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, destroying the building that once hosted George Washington.
The four-alarm fire broke out around 2 a.m. at the Sergeantsville Inn on Rosemont Ringoes Road in Delaware Township.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames and smoke coming from the front door. The fire eventually tore through the roof of the two-story stone structure that is almost 300 years old.
The fire was placed under control several hours later, but it appears to be a total loss.
"There's a hole in the center of my world, too," said Mayor Roger Locandro. "This is the place people would come after a township meeting. The town hall is right across the street. My kids have had their birthday parties there. It's a terrible loss for our community."
The building was built in 1735 and has been a restaurant since the early 1900s.
One firefighter sustained a minor knee injury.
There was no word on what sparked the blaze.
