The owners of the infamous Rhode Island property quickly dispelled any notion of ghostly involvement.
WASHINGTON — A fire that broke out at The Conjuring House in Rhode Island wasn't due to supernatural causes, despite the property's association with ghosts, according to the owner.
In a Facebook post, the barn's owner thanked the local fire department for responding to the fire at their newly renovated barn just before midnight on Tuesday.
The owners quickly dispelled any notion of ghostly involvement, writing that the fire was a run-of-the-mill accident.
"What caused the fire? First, I will tell you what did NOT cause the fire. Neither Bathsheba Sherman, the crooked neck lady, nor any other spirit caused this fire. It also was NOT arson," the post states. "The Deputy State Fire Marshal concludes that the fire was started by improperly disposed materials spontaneously combusting inside a trash bag left in the barn. This was an accident."
Media Statement from The Conjuring House Owner
Considering the recent fire at our main barn, we express our profound gratitude to the local community and to our followers for their concern. We are deeply thankful to the numerous Fire Departments from Harrisville, Pascoag, Chepachet, Mapleville, Harmony, Douglas MA, and East Thompson CT who rushed to our site at midnight on December 4. Twelve fire trucks and their firefighters exhibited astounding coordination, dedication, and skill in controlling the fire and ensuring the safety of our property, staff, and neighboring properties.
It took over three hours to extinguish the flames on our 2000 square-foot newly renovated barn. We are relieved that the barn is still standing. The prompt actions of our staff who detected and addressed the situation immediately were key to this outcome. We will not know what is salvageable until advised by our structural engineers. That consultation is pending.
What caused the fire? First, I will tell you what did NOT cause the fire. Neither Bathsheba Sherman, the crooked neck lady, nor any other spirit caused this fire. It also was NOT arson. The Deputy State Fire Marshal concludes that the fire was started by improperly disposed materials spontaneously combusting inside a trash bag left in the barn. This was an accident. The fire was not started by any hired contractor.
I also wish to acknowledge the construction crews from Rhode Island and my WonderGroup Real Estate Development team who worked with me over these last 10 months as we reimagined and gave new life to this iconic barn built in 1801 by John Arnold and his father Noah.You are: All Phase Electrical Contracting, Dave DeCost Carpentry, the local sawmills who custom milled our lumber, Restivo HVAC, RI Home Security, Absolute Construction, B&C Concrete, Cuartas Painting and Construction, Marquez flooring, and Merge Architects. The high-quality materials selected, your professionalism, expertise and superb craftsmanship are the ONLY reasons the barn is still standing. Thank you. I will be looking to all of you again.
Business operations for The Conjuring House are unaffected by this fire. We are a site of significant historical and paranormal interest, and we invite you to join us and partake in one of the many experiences we offer. Until we see you, we again thank everyone for their kindness and support as we prepare to rebuild to offer even more experiences to you, our extended TCH family.
Posted by The Conjuring House on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Your Pascoag Fire Department, along with departments from several other nearby communities, was called to assist...
Posted by Pascoag Fire Department on Monday, December 4, 2023
The owners of the barn thanked the contractors who had been working for the past 10 months on restoring the building for their efforts, crediting them with reinforcing the structure to withstand hours of flame.
"The high-quality materials selected, your professionalism, expertise and superb craftsmanship are the ONLY reasons the barn is still standing," the post reads.
A video posted alongside the Facebook post shows the renovated barn, with wooden walls and floors lit by industrial lights (but no visible ghosts).
Although the barn is still standing, it remained unclear Wednesday morning what is salvageable from the inside, or if structural damage done by the flames has damaged the frame of the building.
The barn is part of the Perron Family Estate, which was featured in the Ed and Lorraine Warren Case Files. Those files inspired the film series "The Conjuring."
It is currently a tourist destination, with spirit-hunters able to tour the colonial farmhouse or spend the night in one of America's reportedly most haunted locations.
Although tours for the time being won't include the barn, the estate's operators say the fire won't disrupt any tours or events.
