World's largest treehouse burns down in Tennessee

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The world's largest treehouse has burned down in Crossville, Tenn.

That's according to media partners WBIR.

Cumberland County Fire Department told WBIR that the famous Minister's Treehouse burnt to the ground overnight Tuesday.

It was a hot spot for locals and tourists alike. The structure stood 100 feet tall and encompassed seven trees. It was recently sold to a new owner, who said he wasn't planning on tearing it down.

Tours stopped in 2011 after the fire marshal shut it down for safety reasons. It's been vacant since then and WBIR reports it was a target for vandalism.

The treehouse was built by Horace Burgess, an architect-turned-minister. He told news outlets that God commanded him to build the sprawling treehouse as a means of ministry.

It took him about 19 years to build it with salvaged woods scraps and recycled metal. The structure spanned across several trees and was a tourist destination until the fire marshal deemed it a public safety hazard.