click here.

UPDATED STORY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4

SMITHLAND, Ky. - More than 200 years of local history was erased in an instant and now we know it was no accident.

The Kentucky State Fire Marshal is officially calling the incident arson. Fire ripped through the Massey House in Smithland, Ky. late Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning hot spots remained and in some places flames continued to destroy the log cabin's timbers.

People living in the Livingston County community are angry and upset after learning someone burned down an historic landmark. Some people in the community are in disbelief while others are in shock. What really has people upset is that it's sad to lose an historic home to fire, but even worse when we learn someone did it on purpose.

The Livingston County Clerk's Office has an impressive collection of historical books, deeds and marriage certificates. It's a place where Certified Genealogist Brenda Joyce Jerome spends a lot of time. When she's inside the small room she's like a kid in a candy store.

"We can just learn a lot from history," Jerome said. "You don't want to let go of the past because we can learn from the past."

Jerome has a passion for history which is why she can't understand why someone would set fire to the historic Massey House, also known as the old Barner Home (click here for more).

"It's not only frustrating, but (the fact) that there are people who would do such a thing," Jerome said. "It's just so stupid!"

Dianne O'Brien's family has owned the house for 90 years.

"You know, it's gut wrenching. How could a person come in here and do that," O'Brien questioned. "I'm not a vengeful person, but I think if this person is not prosecuted they're liable to do the same thing to somebody else."

The Kentucky Sate Fire Marshal is investigating the fire as arson for several reasons. First, the structure was empty at the time. Secondly, there was no working electricity. Lastly, there's no evidence to show the fire started accidentally.

"It's hard to believe that someone would do it deliberately, it's part of the heritage," Jerome said.

Pieces of our heritage, pieces of history Jerome devotes her life studying so future generations can learn about the past.

A job made harder when fires like this happen. So now Jerome and others wait hoping the person responsible is caught.

"You cannot replace history. It's on their shoulders. We all have to answer for ourselves at some point," Jerome said.

If you have information that can help investigators call 1-800-27-ARSON. if the information leads to an arrest and indictment you could receive a $1,000 reward.

UPDATED STORY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4

SMITHLAND, KY - A fire that destroyed a historic home in Livingston County, Kentucky has been ruled arson.

WPSD Local 6 confirmed the information with a representative of the Kentucky State Fire Marshal's Office Friday morning.

On Thursday the owners of the historic Massey House, Dianne and Bill O'Brien, said they had learned that the KY Fire Marshal's Office was working with KY State Police on the investigation.

The Massey House burned down late Tuesday evening and is one of the oldest homes in the Smithland area. In fact, it is one of the oldest log cabin homes in western Kentucky, built in the 1700s.

If you can help investigators in this case call 1-800-27-ARSON. There is the possibility of a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

ORIGINAL STORY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2

SMITHLAND, KY - Fire destroyed a local landmark leaving the owner and investigators wondering how it started. People living in the Livingston County community say the fire is a loss for the whole region.

Fire ripped through the Massey House in Smithland, Kentucky Tuesday around 8p.m. Portions of the Livingston County house date back to 1799. When Smithland and Ledbetter fire crews responded the log cabin portion of the structure was fully engulfed in flames.

A Deputy State Fire Marshal is investigating the fire and is not ruling out arson. The Massey House is more than 200 years old and a part of American history.

Smithland Fire Chief Andy Oliver put yellow police tape around what's left of the Massey House Wednesday morning. "Any time you lose history, it's bad," Oliver said.

The house has been in Dianne O'Brien's family for 90 years.

"It's a loss for my children and my children's children," O'Brien said. "I'll be having nightmares about his for weeks. It's just gone, it's just gone."

One by one people drove by the house to see the damage; smoldering hot spots, large timbers still on fire and the haze that surrounds the structure.

"It's everybody's loss," O'Brien said. "It's the people who come here from all over on these historical tours. A loss to this county. A loss to western Kentucky, the way I see it."

The house has a history which includes a basement that was part of the famous underground railroad - helping slaves hide and then escape to freedom. A part of what makes this community special is now gone forever.

"Having a sense of history gives you more of a sense of yourself and 'I am somebody, I came from this'," O'Brien said. "It's not the possessions that are important to you but what you want to do is hold on to the history."

To learn more about the Massey House,