'I was sick': Fire destroys woman's 1800s home

Police investigating suspicious fire in Tignish Halloween night

Image | Burned home

Caption: The foundation and remnants of a brick chimney are all that remain after a fire destroyed a 150-year-old home in Tignish. (Laura Meader/CBC)

The owner of a home in Tignish built more than 150 years ago was distraught when she learned the building burned to the ground Halloween night.
"I was there last night and I was sick, I just couldn't believe it," said Cora Gaudette Shea on Wednesday.
Prince County RCMP are investigating. They said they don't yet know the cause of the fire, but believe it is suspicious.

Image | Elizabeth Cran house

Caption: The picture of the Elizabeth Cran House in Tignish was taken in April, 2016. (Kerras Jeffery)

Gaudette Shea said the fire has left her shaken.
"I just want to know why, what gave them the right to do that."

Image | Elizabeth Cran House

Caption: The home has many unique features the owners had hoped to preserve. (Kerras Jeffery)

The house — known as Elizabeth Cran House locally — once belonged to Bishop Peter McIntyre in the mid-1800s, Architectural Historian Reg Porter said in a post on a P.E.I. Heritage Buildings blog(external link).
Gaudette Shea bought the house in 2009. She did plan to tear it down but hoped to save some of its unique features, such as mouldings and stained glass windows. She had been talking with antique dealers.

Image | Elizabeth Cran House

Caption: Cora Gaudette Shea bought the house in 2009. (Kerras Jeffery)

"I know it was old and had to come down but it was my building and my determination what would happen," she said.
"Nice just to keep that character and we're never going to see it again."

Image | Peter MacIntyre

Caption: The home once belonged to Rev. Peter MacIntyre in the mid-1800s, according to a local historian. (Kerras Jeffery)

Image | Elizabeth Cran House

Caption: The home, at 333 Church St. in Tignish, was about 150 metres down a dirt road. (Kerras Jeffery)