A more than 300-year-old inn that played host to the nation's first president has been left in ruin after a large four-alarm fire ripped through the historic New Jersey structure.
Fire began burning inside The Sergeantsville Inn at 601 Rosemont Ringoes Road in Sergeantsville, New Jersey, around 2 a.m. Monday, town leaders told NBC10. Sergeantsville is about 24 miles north of Trenton in Hunterdon County.
The inn, which now operates as a restaurant, dates back to the early 1700s and hosted President George Washington.
"This is the center of our town," Delaware Township Mayor Roger Locandro said. "This is the place where senators and assemblypeople come. This is a place where people celebrate their birthdays or anniversaries — their life events."
When fire crews were first notified, there was just smoke coming from the two-story stone building, officials said. But the fire quickly grew and eventually flames began to shoot from the roof.
Firefighters struck four-alarms as they called in help from surrounding towns to battle the blaze. Crews were pulling water from fire hydrants a few miles away and trucking it in.
One firefighter suffered a minor knee injury, but no other injuries were reported. It was unclear what sparked the blaze.
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The Sergeantsville Inn began as a private home before being converted into a grain and feed store in the 1830s, according to its website. The restaurant opened in the early 1900s and has also been home to a grocery store, ice cream parlor and pelt trading center.
