The Stonehedge barn, a popular wedding venue and outdoor concert space in Gray, burned down Tuesday afternoon.

Owner Russell Jeffords, who lives on the property, said he called the fire department as soon as he saw the flames.

Fire crews from Gray and several nearby towns arrived and had the fire under control by 4:15 p.m., Gray Fire Chief Kurt Elkanich said. They were still hitting hotspots a couple hours later.

The fire trucks arrived early enough to save Jeffords’ house, he said, but by then the barn was already gone. Jeffords said he also lost all of his instruments and sound equipment stored in the barn.

Neither Jeffords nor Elkanich knew Tuesday what caused the fire.

Jeffords was shocked and devastated.

“There’s a lot of memories in that barn,” he said.

The southern Gray farm’s history runs deep. Located along Route 202, it operated as the Freeman Farm for nearly 200 years before Jeffords bought the property in 2004.

Jeffords said Tuesday that he bid against other developers who wanted to use the property for commercial development and condos. Jeffords wasn’t interested in the “big bucks,” he said, but rather a place where people could find community and unique experiences.

For 20 years, Stonehedge has hosted music performances, charity events and weddings. In the winter, Jeffords said, people huddled inside the barn for country acoustic jam sessions.

“Everybody comes in and shares their sense of music and play. We sing and have fellowship,” Jeffords said.

Jeffords said he still had to process the news and will likely speak with his insurance company so they can rebuild “with much more fervor and passion.”

“But music doesn’t die. It keeps in our hearts,” Jeffords said. “As long as we keep the music in our hearts, Stonehedge doesn’t die.”

Sam Pfeifle, who lives in the area, said he and his son were playing in their yard when he noticed smoke coming from down the street around 4:15 p.m. After he watched several fire engines tear down West Gray Road, he followed the smoke about four houses down the street until he saw the performance space, an open, barn-like structure, engulfed in flames.

Very sad day in Gray right now. Popular music venue Stonehedge completely engulfed in flames. Avoid Route 202 near the Gray/Windham line. Will take a loooong time to deal with. pic.twitter.com/Im2M6byjB2

— Sam Pfeifle (@SamPfeifle) March 12, 2024

“They must have been 60, 70 feet in the air,” he said.

Pfeifle said he watched the structure collapse.

West Gray Road was closed between Route 202 in Windham and Lawrence Road in Gray while crews worked to put out the fire, the Cumberland County communications center said. It reopened around 7:45 p.m.

Pfeifle said the venue grew in popularity during the pandemic, in part because it provided plenty of space for social distancing.

“The number of shows had really picked up and I think people (were) digging it,” he said. “It’s a real bummer for the music community.”

Sun Journal Staff Writer Joe Charpentier contributed to this report.

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