A historic mansion that was an icon in Chico, California was badly damaged in an early morning fire on Wednesday. The Bidwell Mansion, which has been in central Chico for more than 150 years, was left gutted by the fire, which started around 3 a.m. Several fire agencies responded to the emergency, which did not damage any other structures. "For over a century, this beloved landmark has stood as a testament to the legacy of John and Annie Bidwell and the community they helped shape. To see it so severely damaged is a profound loss that we all feel deeply," reads part of a statement from California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. The Bidwell Mansion caught fire in the early morning hours of December 11, 2024. The Bidwell Mansion has stood in Chico since construction finished in 1868. Officials were able to remove some original artifacts, although many others were likely damaged in the fire, parks officials said. Several buildings at nearby Chico State were closed for the day because of the fire, according to the university. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, fire officials said. The three-story house is an emblematic Victorian home built in 1868 by John and Annie Bidwell, a couple who helped found the city of Chico and were major figures in the state's early decades. According to California State Parks, the 26-room mansion was going through a major renovation that was almost complete when it caught fire.