Fire destroyed a historic home in Beaver township built by Harvey S. Firestone, founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

A passing motorist on Lipley Road reported the fire around 4:00 a.m. Tuesday and firefighters from Beaver and Springfield townships answered the call.

"By the time fire department units got on the scene the house was completely involved, the roof was already gone and the second floor was gone," Beaver township Fire Chief Russ Osborne said.

Hours later the rubble was still smoldering, and the 134 year old structure was a total loss. Three years ago when the Firestone Test Center needed to expand, the house was going to be demolished. But local businessman Tom Ellison thought it should be saved.

"And they thought about it and they offered me this five acres at a price if I would remove the house," said Ellison.

So in 2011, Ellison's excavating company and a mover from Cortland moved the 3000 square foot, four bedroom house about 1000 feet to it's present location on Pine Lake. Ellison said the house was empty and the power was turned off and he finds it suspicious that it would just catch fire at four in the morning.

"Apparently there's a bad person out there and I'd like to get my hands on them," Ellison said.

The state fire marshal is investigating to try and determine the cause. Ellison says the property was for sale, but unfortunately he did not have it insured so it's a total loss for him, and for local history.

"As far as a landmark in this area it's invaluable that way," Chief Osborne said.