There is a real sense of loss in Twillingate after Ashbourne House, perhaps the town’s most prominent home was destroyed by fire overnight Thursday.

Fire investigators are now probing the cause of the blaze.

The house, which was unoccupied at the time of the fire, was the location of a tea room that entertained visitors and locals alike.

Residents, ex-pats and tourists alike are expressing shock and dismay at the loss.

People have been sharing pictures of the stately home – both historic, and more recent – on social media while sharing memories of the building which overlooks Twillingate Harbour.

Twillingate has seen a long series of suspicious fires in recent months, but there’s no immediate indication as to what caused the latest blaze.