Police were at the scene over the weekend of a blaze that destroyed a century-old West Penn Township farmhouse.

As fire crews watered down smoldering remains Saturday, investigators sifted through rubble searching for clues into what might have caused the house to erupt in flames.Emergency responders were dispatched to a working structure fire at 10:49 p.m. Friday at 365 Mush Dahl Road in New Ringgold. The site is a narrow, dirt road at the base of a steep drop that parallels West Penn Pike, Route 309, in an area known as the Ridge Cup, 6 miles south of Tamaqua.The building was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived.Because of the remote location, responders fought the blaze using several tanker trucks and a portable pond, also tapping water from nearby sources.The Tamaqua Fire Department's aerial ladder also was deployed.Responding were units from West Penn and Walker townships, Tamaqua, New Ringgold, Germansville, Hometown, Quakake, New Tripoli, Mahoning Valley and others.West Penn and Tamaqua Fire Police volunteers closed both lanes of Route 309 and detoured traffic.According to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, the property has been owned by Hanna Monif of Allentown since 2006.No injuries were reported and officials believe the house was unoccupied.Neighbors said they thought the house was for sale.A search of the real estate multi-listing indicates the property was listed for sale for $310,000 as recently as February. It was described as five bedrooms, three baths and 5,200 square feet.However, online listings show the property as currently off the market.The property was the site of another fire in recent years.On Nov. 28, 2008, the adjacent barn was destroyed in another nighttime blaze.The landmark red barn was well-known to passing motorists for its historic Mail Pouch Tobacco painted signage.