UPDATE: Red Cross Helping Victim of River Road Blaze

9:31 a.m.

The  is helping one person displaced by a fire on River Road Saturday in Middletown. Financial assistance for emergency clothing and food has been given to the resident, who is staying with family members.

Original Story

A fast-moving blaze heavily damaged a 17th-century two-story wooden-frame Middletown farmhouse near the Haddam town line at 3704 River Road Saturday morning.

The fire, which began about 11 a.m., was extinguished by noon, police on scene say.  and South Fire responded, with assistance from , Haddam and fire departments. The structure's roof was being vented and hot spots were being monitored Saturday afternoon.

The cause of the blaze is unknown.

The circa 1675 home is owned by Jeffrey P. Bogue, owner of Bogue Christmas Tree Farm and Bogue Landworks landscaping, according to the Assessor's database, and sits on a hilly acre of land in the woodsy area off Aircraft Road. A long, winding dirt and gravel road leads up to the house.

On Nov. 16, 2010, a barn on the family's property was destroyed by fire in the middle of the night. At the time, Bogue said he suspected arson and that much of the family's antique farm equipment, stored in that barn, had been damaged.

He is the fifth generation of Bogues living on the 5-acre land.

Check back with Patch for updates.