LUSELAND — Luseland Fire Department responded to a barn fire north of Salvador in the early hours of April 13, which razed the structure.
Crews responded with three units arriving on scene that included six members.
“We arrived to find the farm’s barn was burned down and spot fires had begun in the back bush area. Crews worked to extinguish the spots in the trees, where some had to be cut down,” Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Siwak says.
Siwak said the farm does have livestock and some were housed in the barn, including chickens and a few pigs. He also said high winds were of concern and definitely aided in the fire’s ability to burn fast and hot.
LFD was dispatched at 3:30 a.m. and were back in service by 6:30 a.m. Siwak adds that no mutual aid was required and the overall loss is substantial.
Property owners, Dan and Carrie Winterhalt, said, “LFD were quick to respond and very helpful and did their job to help.
“We lost our two new sows, who were just having their piglets, so we lost the mommas and 12 babies. Also lost in the fire were about 150 chickens.”
Winterhalt says, the original 27-by-50 foot barn was built in 1946 and the main barn, 26-by58-feet, was built in 1969.
By the time the couple discovered the blaze and got outside, the barn was already burned to the ground. They were able to save equipment close the barn.
“We are hoping to rebuild, but right now it’s hard to figure out what to do and where to turn. We are thankful no one was hurt.”
Siwak said up to this point the LFD has had a quiet year. He has taken over the role of deputy chief from Brent Laturnus.
“We would also like to give a shout out to the surrounding departments for their continued hard work and dedication to fire safety, and hope everyone stays safe," Siwak says.
