Historic Morris County farm destroyed by fire

A fire destroyed the historic Pitney Farm in Mendham on Wednesday morning.

The Daily Record reported the flames broke out around 2:45 a.m. in the 11,800-square-foot main home on the farm  that was built in 1722 and now owned by the township. The roof partially collapsed and an excavator was brought in to begin taking down walls as firefighters looked for hot spots.

In an email to New Jersey 101.5, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation is ongoing as to the origin and cause of the fire.

"We're in shock. It's a tragedy," township Mayor Frank Cioppettini told the Daily Record. "We were trying to save the property and we lost a treasure. We want to thank all the volunteers for trying to save the mansion but unfortunately it didn't happen."

The group Friends of Pitney Farm had been created to come up with a use for the 11-acre farm after the Township bought the property in 2009, according to the farm's website.