Manitoba's historic Criddle Vane home burns to ground

A historic home in western Manitoba, known as theCriddleVane Homestead, has burned to the ground.

Emergency crews were called at 10 p.m. Wednesday aboutthe vacant home on thehistoric site being engulfed in flames.

The century-oldhome could not be saved, RCMP said.

No one was injured in the fire and an estimate of the damages is not known at this time.

This fire is considered to be suspicious in nature and remains under investigation.

Thesite, located about 40 kilometres southeast of Brandon, was settled in 1882 by theCriddle and Vane families, who emigrated from England.

The Manitoba pioneers were wellknown for their contributions in the fields of science, art, sports, and culture, as well as for their somewhat eccentric lifestyle, according to the provincial government.

They tried to recreate an English feel in the Carberry sand hills, building a tennis court and golf course, among other things.

Norman Criddlealso arranged for the first entomologylab to be built on the prairies. He collected entomological specimens from the region, which can now be found in many major insect collections throughout the world.

The 130-hectare homestead site was acquired by the province in the1970s and designated theCriddleVane Homestead Provincial Heritage Park in 2004.

The site includes theCriddlehome, the remaining structure of the entomological field station, a cemetery, old foundations, and the remains of the tennis courts and golf course.

RCMP urgeanyone with information to contact RCMP at204-726-7519or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at1-800-222-8477. Tips can also besubmitted online at the Crime Stopper website or bytexting"TIPMAN" plus themessage to CRIMES (274637).