UPDATE: Multiple FDs Respond To Barn Fires
Around 1 a.m. this morning and just minutes apart, area fire departments were called to two separate barn fires on the west side of Warsaw.
The first fire was reported by a passerby and was apparently a rekindle of a fire that killed 65,000 chickens on Monday. The barn that housed the fowl belongs to Egg Innovations. (See related)
Atwood Fire Chief Mike Harmon said there is nothing suspicious about the chicken barn fire, that initially burned Monday. Fire and insurance investigators determined it was likely started by a large fan that shorted out.
Twice this morning, Atwood Fire Department was called back to the barn. The first time, at around 1 a.m., Harmon said flames were visible upon their arrival. He said the rekindled fire could have been the result of a storm that rolled through Thursday night. Although Harmon said there was no lightning, the wind could have fed smoldering embers just enough to reignite it.
At 7 a.m. this morning, the fire department was again called to the 500-foot long barn when, once again, the fire reignited. “It’s so long and the roof collapsed, so it maybe just got enough air in there to cause it to light again,” said Harmon.
Fortunately, Harmon noted that another adjacent barn housing chicks was not affected by the fire and all of the chicks are fine.
Atwood, Warsaw and Etna Green fire departments all responded.
The second barn fire, this one at 2897 W. 250 S., Warsaw, at about 1:10 a.m., resulted in extensive damages.
Owned by Troy and Rhonda Helser, the barn was fully engulfed by the time firefighters from Winona Lake arrived on scene. Tanker assistance was utilized from Claypool, Mentone and Pierceton fire departments.
The barn contained at least one vehicle and workshop and was ruled a total loss.
Firefighters from Warsaw, Winona Lake, Atwood, Burket, Claypool and Mentone were called to the two scenes. Fire trucks from Leesburg/Plain Township Fire Department were brought to Warsaw stations in the event more assistance would be needed.