Historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico Destroyed by Fire

The 156-year-old Victorian landmark, a symbol of Chico's heritage, was gutted in an early morning blaze under investigation.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. on December 11, 2024, engulfing the Bidwell Mansion and leaving the structure unstable and beyond repair.
Firefighters adopted defensive tactics due to the fire's intensity and the risk of structural collapse, with portions of the building falling within minutes of their arrival.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities reviewing video footage of an individual seen leaving the area at the time of the blaze.
The mansion, built in 1868 by Chico founder John Bidwell, had been undergoing a $2.3 million renovation and was closed to the public at the time of the fire.
Local officials, residents, and organizations have expressed sorrow over the loss of the iconic site, and efforts to memorialize and potentially rebuild are underway.