HEBRON – A wood stove likely caused a blaze that destroyed a historic farmhouse on Thursday night.

Harold Brooks, who bought the property about a week to a week and a half ago, said he had been using a wood stove as a backup heating source. Brooks said he was told by the state Fire Marshal’s Office that wood near the stove ignited, sparking the fire.

“I was pretty devastated last night,” Brooks said. “It’s definitely sad.”

The fire at Legendairy Farm at 111 Buckfield Road was reported by a person driving past the scene at about 10:15 p.m. The two-story colonial was destroyed. However, firefighters were able to save a nearby apartment building and barn.

Brooks, who lives next to the property and owns Harold Brooks Construction, a home construction and repair business, said he had intended to move in within the next few days. He said the building was unoccupied at the time, and he had moved some items into the house, but nothing significant. “I think the fire department did an excellent job,” Brooks said. “I really appreciate that they saved the barn.”

Brooks said the farm included the 1780 residence of one of the first three inhabitants of Hebron, who received the property after serving in the Revolutionary War. He said the main portion of the farmhouse was constructed in 1835. Former Hebron Academy Headmaster Richard Davidson and his wife, Helen, previously owned Legendairy Farm, neighbor Bobbi Bumps said.

The farmhouse had five rooms downstairs and four bedrooms on the second floor, she said.

The Davidsons were residents of Hebron for more than 20 years before moving to New Hampshire in mid-December. He was headmaster of the private academy for many years, and she taught piano lessons to area children and served as organist and drama teacher for Hebron Community Baptist Church. The stately set of buildings were used for a dairy farm by Richard Davidson for a while, Bumps said.

Hebron firefighters were assisted at the scene by crews from Norway and Paris, while departments from other towns responded for mutual aid. Chief Jim Trundy of the Hebron Fire Department said the building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Firefighters used up the water in five or six trucks before breaking a hole in the ice of a nearby creek to pump water. A dry hydrant further complicated matters, leaving firefighters without water for 20 to 25 minutes.

Brooks said he has lived in the area for four years and had thought about using the Legendairy Farm property as a bed and breakfast and for farming. He said the building was insured and he planned to rebuild.