Cabin Belonging To Accused Canterbury, NH Squatter 'River Dave' Destroyed By Fire

CANTERBURY, N.H. (CBS) – Fire destroyed the home of a New Hampshire man who was taken into custody this week  as he is accused of squatting for decades in the woods.

Dubbed "River Dave," 81-year-old David Lidstone has lived off the grid in the small cabin in the woods of Canterbury for nearly 30 years.

Fire officials said smoke was pouring from his homestead on Wednesday.

When crews got to the scene, the cabin had collapsed on itself.

But no one was there because Lidstone was recently taken into custody.

A property owner went to court saying Lidstone was squatting. He was later arrested for civil contempt.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.