An early 1800s-era farmhouse on Cape Road in Hollis was destroyed by fire Wednesday afternoon. The fire is believed to have been caused by a wood pellet stove that malfunctioned. 


The house, which sits on 22 acres and includes a horse barn, is owned by Marc Tardif, a horse breeder, and his wife, who live there with their teenage daughter and also take care of several elderly residents. Everyone got out of the house safely but the structure is a total loss, fire officials said. 


The house had recently been on the market with an asking price of $499,000.