ANDOVER — A lean-to on the Akers Family Ski Trails was found burned to the ground Monday, owner Leon Akers said Tuesday.

It is the town’s second fire of unknown origin within the past month, he said.

“It appears to have been some time ago as it did not spread through the leaves and pine needles surrounding the structure,” Akers wrote in an email.

The lean-to, off Akers Way, was fine about the first of April, he said.

A hiker made the discovery Monday, Akers said.

“If you have any type of building unattended in the area,” Akers said, “it might be a good idea to check on it.”

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The other fire was a metal storage shed on South Main Street. It was destroyed in an early morning fire April 14, Fire Chief Jim Adler said.

The fires follow two others last month that destroyed large landmarks on each end of Main Street.

The first fire was at a two-story, Victorian-style house and barn at 126 North Main St., on the evening of April 6.

The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The house and the barn were empty and had been vacant for several years, according to Adler. It was owned by a financial institution, according to Town Clerk Melinda Averill.

The second fire destroyed the vacant historic Mills family house, ell and attached barn at 28 South Main St. shortly after 11 p.m. on April 7. The homestead was owned by Roger Mills’ daughter, Patricia Cox, of Dixfield. It contained family heirlooms and memorabilia.

Both fires were deliberately set, according to Sgt. Ken Grimes of the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

Andover resident Leon Akers of Akers Family Ski Trails said that a hiker discovered a burnt down lean-to on the recreation property on Monday. Akers encourages Andover residents to check on unattended buildings in the area due to the suspicious-type fires that occurred in Andover in April. (Submitted photo)

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