EUSTIS — A fire of undetermined origin leveled a large rambling farmhouse in the middle of Eustis Village late Sunday night, May 23.

Fire Chief Rusty Fearon said the Stratton-Eustis Fire Department received the call about 9:30 Sunday night that the three-story home located next to the popular Trails Inn Restaurant was on fire. Responding to the scene were about 20 members of the local department along with Rangeley, Carrabassett Valley and Kingfield fire departments, said Fearon.

Apparently the owners of the home, David and Patricia Ashley, were outside when they saw the house on fire. The house was being remodeled. The couple was able to save their dogs but lost their large pet bird in the fire.

Dora and Red Tibbetts live next door. Dora said that the house was built in 1903 and believed that it was the first house built after the town of Eustis burned that year. It originally had a large barn which has since been torn down. Dora lived most of her 80 years near the burned property. She remembers when the property was a large working farm selling milk, cream and farm products, then it was divided into apartments and also a gift shop but mostly it had been used as a home.

Most of the time, said Dora, the property was owned by descendents of her family, the Sylvesters —even her great-grandfather once lived there.

Ironically, the Sylvesters held their family reunion Sunday at Mike’s Sports Pub located across the street from the fire.

It is believed that the Ashley family is staying in a camper on their property.

Fearon believed that the property was insured and said that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fearon said that firemen cleared the scene about 4 a.m. Monday.