2024-12-22T03:11:38-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150166717/world-s-largest-treehouse-destroyed-by-fire Sean Joyner 2019-10-25T14:00:00-04:00 >2019-10-25T12:56:00-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/8b/8b6eae46eb2b92f7e5ccbcb978c29bab.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>The Minister's Treehouse &mdash; reportedly the largest treehouse in the world &mdash; has burned to the ground after a raging fire. The Tennessee landmark went up in flames late Tuesday night, and officials were unable to save it. Cumberland County Fire Rescue said the entire building turned to ash in less than 15 minutes, CBS affiliate WVLT-TV confirmed. Locals watched as the fire erupted around 10:30 p.m. local time. The house collapsed just as emergency services arrived.</p></em><br /><br /><p>Built by Tennessee minister Horace Burgess, in response to a vision he had, the construction of the treehouse began in 1993. The structure was supported by an 80-foot-tall oak tree and quickly became a popular tourist attraction. In 2012 the location was closed due to fire safety concerns, a worry that has sadly been realized this October.</p>