In New Ulm, Minnesota, 22 April, firefighters were able to save a piece of musical history from a burning home.

Firemen were called early Friday to the former home of the late Christy Hengel (picture right). Christy Hengel is reported to be one of the last people to build concertinas in the USA. Hengel had his concertina shop there as well as an extensive collection of concertinas.

New Ulm Fire Chief Paul Macho told the news media that firefighters retrieved “well over one hundred” concertinas from the basement.

At first, firefighters didn’t know the concertinas were inside until the owner arrived. The fire chief says the concertinas were saved before there was too much water damage.

The home’s residents reported having electrical issues Thursday night, but firefighters don’t know the cause of the fire yet. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Dodie Wendinger, executive director of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm, said virtually all the instruments were removed from the basement, though some received heavy damage. Hengel, former owner of the home who died in 2007, was a legend in the concertina world and widely known for his craftsmanship and the “industry standard” sounds his instruments produced. Some of his older concertinas have sold for thousands of dollars, and the Minnesota Historical Society placed one of them in its museum in 2000.