VIDEO: Historic Bidwell Mansion burns in Chico structure fire

A large fire sparked at the historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico early Wednesday morning, just months into a new restoration project at the site, KRCR has confirmed. 

Video shows flames stretching from the roof of Bidwell Mansion Historic State Park, located on Esplanade, as fire crews worked to quell the fire. The Chico Fire Battalion chief told KRCR that a call reporting an "illegal burn" was received just after 3 a.m., but the official could not confirm if that fire was connected to the Bidwell Mansion. 

Fire crews responded to the Bidwell with five fire engines as well as officers and emergency medical responders. Crew were unable to enter the structure due to the risk of it collapsing, officials said. 

The Bidwell Mansion was established to honor John and Annie Bidwell. Annie was known as an active participant in the suffrage and prohibition movements, according to California State Parks.