ELMHURST — Fire officials are still investigating a blaze that tore through a historic home in September.
A two-alarm fire gutted the former 1700s farmhouse at 90-11 56th Ave. at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 8, destroying the top floor's white mansard roof and dormer windows.
A spokesman for the FDNY said Monday it's is still under investigation — although "the cause of the fire is considered to be incendiary."
According to the Bureau of Fire Investigations, "incendiary" could mean fire caused by combustible material, ignitable liquid, fireworks, a torch, reckless use of an open flame, combustible gas, attempted arson, explosives, suicide, attempted suicide or self immolation.
When asked twice for more information, spokesman Jim Long said "we’ve said all we can say at this time."
In 2014, 30 percent of the city's fires were "incendiary."
A permit was filed in October for the demolition of the house, which was bought Aug. 20 for $2 million to a company formed last October called 90-56 L&Z Realty LLC, city records show.
The Newtown Civic Association created a petition in an effort to save the home, which is one of the oldest in the neighborhood.
