Firefighters battled a large barn fire in rural Metcalfe early Thursday morning, which destroyed three structures but spared the homeowner’s residence.
Emergency crews were called around 12:45 a.m. to a property on the 3000 block of 8th Line Road after a homeowner reported flames spreading between barns. Upon arrival, firefighters found two barns fully engulfed, with extreme heat and wind carrying embers that ignited small fires in nearby hay and brush.
Without nearby fire hydrants, crews relied on water trucks and multiple hoses to control the blaze. Additional teams worked to protect surrounding buildings, while downed hydro lines, fuel tanks, and structural hazards complicated efforts. An aerial ladder was used to fight the fire from above.
Most animals were rescued by the property owners, but one horse and several chickens died. Nobody was injured in the fire. After more than an hour of firefighting, the fire was brought under control by 2:06 a.m. Crews used an excavator to remove debris and continue dousing hotspots, and a fire truck remains on site for monitoring. The cause of the fire is under investigation.