Fire destroys rare medieval Dutch farmhouse

Restored seven years ago

ANDEREN, the Netherlands - One of the oldest farmhouses in Europe, dating from 1376, has been totally destroyed by fire. The wooden frame construction of the building, located in the tiny hamlet of Anderen, near Assen in the northern Dutch province of Drenthe, was very unique.

Police say the cause of the blaze is still a mystery. The residents of the all-under-one-roof structure were able to escape in time after the fire was discovered.

The building had been in disrepair until 2004 when it was restored to its former beauty. Three months ago, an adjacent farmhouse also went up in flames. The cause of that fire has not been determined either yet.