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Blaze at US president's homestead Blaze at US president's homestead
(about 2 hours later)
The thatched roof of the ancestral home of a former American president near Strabane, County Tyrone, has been extensively damaged by fire.The thatched roof of the ancestral home of a former American president near Strabane, County Tyrone, has been extensively damaged by fire.
The thatched cottage at Dergalt, which was once owned by the family of Woodrow Wilson, caught fire around lunchtime on Thursday. The cottage at Dergalt, which was once owned by the family of Woodrow Wilson, caught fire around lunchtime on Thursday.
Fire crews from Strabane and Newtonstewart managed to save some artefacts and furniture from the house. Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States from 1913 to 1921.
His grandfather emigrated from County Tyrone to North Carolina in the early 19th century. Police said the fire was the result of an accident. Fire crews managed to save some artefacts and furniture.
Local historian Michael Kennedy said it was unfortunate that the style of the roof and its trusses meant the structure and any original furniture would most likely be damaged or completely destroyed. Local historian Michael Kennedy said: "It's bad news from a local history - and even from an Irish history - point of view," he said.
"It's bad news from a local history - and even from an Irish history - point of view," he said. President Wilson's grandfather emigrated from County Tyrone to North Carolina in the early 19th century.