Historic Prescott Valley 'castle' fire ruled accidental, officials say

The investigation into the fire that destroyed a historic "castle" home in Prescott Valley has concluded, with the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority determining the fire was an accident.

CAFMA and the Prescott Fire Department were dispatched at about 3:18 p.m. on May 2 to a residential structure fire on Fourth Street in Prescott Valley, where crews found a two-story home with flames showing from the roof, CAFMA said in a Facebook post.

Prescott Valley town officials identified the home as the historic Barlow-Massicks house, calling it a local treasure dating to the late 1800s.

The home, also known as "The Castle," was occupied when the fire started, but the occupant evacuated before crews arrived, CAFMA said.

One person was transported by Copperstate Ambulance for further treatment.

After the fire was put out, investigators determined that it was an accident and "likely originated from the use of one of the fireplaces in the residence," CAFMA said.

The Republic's Rey Covarrubias Jr. contributed to this story.