A multimillion-dollar historic mansion on Philadelphia's exclusive Main Line was destroyed in a massive three-alarm fire that tore through the roof of the nearly century-old home overnight. The Main Line is a storied stretch of affluent suburbs west of Philadelphia known for its grand estates, elite private schools, and old-money wealth.
Firefighters Respond to Blaze in Villanova
Firefighters were called to 840 Lesley Road in the Villanova section of Radnor Township at 12:13 a.m. Wednesday after receiving reports of a fire in the attic, according to the Radnor Fire Company. When police arrived moments later, they found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the sprawling two-and-a-half-story single-family residence. All of the occupants had already escaped and were waiting outside, officials said.
The blaze quickly escalated into a working fire and then a second and third alarm as crews from Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties rushed to the scene. Approximately 100 firefighters and 30 pieces of equipment were deployed to battle the inferno, which was not brought under control until around 2 a.m. Crews remained at the property until after 5 a.m. extinguishing hot spots and overhauling the structure.
Challenges in Fighting the Fire
Chief Joseph Maguire said the home was 'a little over a hundred years old,' which made the fire especially difficult to extinguish. 'It's a large house, extensive damage inside,' Maguire told NBC10 Philadelphia. 'We had some difficulty getting through some of the ceilings and the walls. There was a lot of plaster left inside there and it slowed down some of the crews getting to where the fire was.' He described the response as 'very labor intensive' and said firefighters had to rotate crews multiple times during the grueling operation.
Maguire said the residents were awakened by the sound of crackling and were able to escape because the house had working smoke alarms. He praised the family for having a fire escape plan in place and for immediately informing first responders that everyone was accounted for. No residents or firefighters were injured.
History of the Property
The property is listed in the Radnor Historical Society archives as the former John P. Hollingsworth Residence. According to the township's historic resource survey, the mansion was built in 1925 and designed by the architectural firm DeArmond, Ashmead & Bickley. The Radnor Historical Society notes that the original estate sat on 3.5 acres.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the inferno remains under investigation. Video from the scene showed towering flames and thick smoke pouring from the roof as firefighters worked from ladders and inside the mansion. According to WPVI-TV, the home is believed to be a total loss. Public records indicate the property is located in one of Villanova's most affluent neighborhoods, where large estates routinely sell for several million dollars. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, the Radnor Township Police Department, and the Radnor Township Fire Marshal.
