The department received a report of an illegal burn at the mansion and upon its response, the full structure was involved and personnel were unable to perform an offense attack. The Chico Fire Department,

Bidwell Mansion, the home of John and Annie Bidwell that has stood as the iconic symbol of our town for 160 years, has been destroyed by fire.

The community is mourning the loss of a historic 156-year-old mansion in Northern California destroyed by a fire early Wednesday morning.