FREMONT, IN (WTVB) – A skid steer parked next to some hay bales is being listed as the cause of a Christmas Eve fire that destroyed a large barn in northeast Steuben County about a half mile south of the Michigan-Indiana state line.
Firefighters from three states had to give up their Christmas Eve when the fire at 7660 North 875 East was reported just before 6:00 p.m..
Fremont, Indiana Fire Chief Eric Hufnagle said some nearby witnesses unsuccessfully tried to pull the small front end loader from the barn.
Hufnagle said the barn contained nearly 280 bales of hay and numerous pieces of farm equipment.
There were also three horses inside that managed to get out safely. Hufnagle says the horses have been accounted for.
Just about every fire department from Steuben County was called in along with crews from Branch, Hillsdale and Williams County, Ohio.
The Lakeland Fire Department was among nine department that responded. Crews were on the scene until about midnight. No injuries were reported.
Hufnagle said a final damage estimated was still being figured up but he estimated it will be well over $500,000.
Comments