Firefighters quickly control fire Thursday morning in building housing Doylestown Historical Society

Six area fire companies worked together to knock down a first-floor fire Thursday morning before dawn in the 19^th-century brick and wood building that houses Doylestown Historical Society in Doylestown Borough.

Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1 reported that a fire broke out at 5:27 a.m. at 56 S. Main St., with arriving crews from Doylestown reporting to the scene by 5:28 a.m. and finding a fire showing on the first floor.

According to the fire company’s Facebook post, crews worked quickly to contain, search and minimize damage to the building. The fire was contained to an area that housed historical documents, photos and a gift shop.

South Main Street was temporarily closed Thursday. The fire was under control by 6 a.m.

Doylestown Fire Co. was assisted at the scene by Warrington Fire Co., Chalfont Fire Co., Midway Volunteer Fire Co., Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Co., Hartsville Fire Co., Lingohocken Fire Co., and Central Bucks EMS.

Doylestown Fire Marshal Scott Fleischer told 6abc that the age of the structure posed a challenge for firefighters. A cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

    (Credit: Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1/Facebook)
  

“The challenges are the old walls and the structure, how it was built so long ago -- that holds the heat so they had to work on getting some of the old windows open, some challenges ventilating the structure," said Fleischer.

Crews arrived within one minute of the fire alarm, which was integral in the mission to save this piece of history on Main Street.

"That's great that the building is still standing. Such a historical piece in the borough. The firefighters did a great job," Fleischer said.

    (Credit: Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1/Facebook)
  

It took firefighters about half an hour to get the fire under control.

Doylestown Historical Society Chairman Ron Strauss told Action News that the board will meet Friday to discuss restoration and future steps.

Most of the Society’s artifacts and treasures are stored in another part of the building, which was unaffected by the fire.