DURHAM — A fast-moving fire early Thursday morning at 174 Newell Brook Road (also known as Route 9) destroyed a large, two-story barn at the landmark Babcock Farm, circa 1800.

An Office of the State Fire Marshal representative sifted through the debris Thursday in an effort to determine the cause of the fire, which remained under investigation.

Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said the fire was reported by a resident of nearby Ada Lane at 1:29 a.m. and was fully involved when firefighters arrived. He added that firefighters from seven towns conducted a defensive effort to save the nearby farmhouse. He estimated loss to the two-story, 37- by 56-foot barn and its contents at $120,000. Contents included in the estimate are a tractor, a baler and stored hay.

The barn, along with the farmhouse about 40 feet away, has been in the family for four generations. The property is now owned by Priscilla Babcock Allen.

No one was living at the farmhouse because it was being renovated. The ell connecting the house and barn had recently been demolished, which was a contributing factor in saving the farmhouse. The property was insured, St. Michel said.

Five fire engines responded to the scene, along with tankers from Durham, Lisbon, Freeport, Pownal, Topsham, Bowdoin and Bowdoinham which brought in water from dry hydrants on Cedar Pond Road and the Durham fire station. An engine from New Gloucester filled in at the Durham station.

Durham firefighters responded to a report that the fire had rekindled shortly before 3 p.m. It was quickly extinguished.