Manitoba's historic Criddle Vane home burns to ground
A historic home in western Manitoba, known as the Criddle Vane Homestead, has burned to the ground.
Emergency crews were called at 10 p.m. Wednesday about the vacant home on the historic site being engulfed in flames.
The century-old home could not be saved, RCMP said.
No one was injured in the fire and an estimate of the damages is not known at this time.
This fire is considered to be suspicious in nature and remains under investigation.
The Manitoba pioneers were well known for their contributions in the fields of science, art, sports, and culture, as well as for their somewhat eccentric lifestyle, according to the provincial government.
They tried to recreate an English feel in the Carberry sand hills, building a tennis court and golf course, among other things.
Norman Criddle also arranged for the first entomology lab to be built on the prairies. He collected entomological specimens from the region, which can now be found in many major insect collections throughout the world.
The 130-hectare homestead site was acquired by the province in the 1970s and designated the Criddle Vane Homestead Provincial Heritage Park in 2004.
The site includes the Criddle home, the remaining structure of the entomological field station, a cemetery, old foundations, and the remains of the tennis courts and golf course.
RCMP urge anyone with information to contact RCMP at 204-726-7519 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at the Crime Stopper website or by texting "TIPMAN" plus the message to CRIMES (274637).