MIDDLEBURY TOWNSHIP — Multiple fire departments responded to a barn fire in Middlebury Township Friday evening.
The Fredericktown Community Fire District dispatched CH411, E419, E413, T417, G412, G414 to the 20000 block of Whitney Road at 5 p.m. on the report of a barn fire. A large plume of black smoke could be seen from miles away before firefighters arrived to attack the fire.
Upon arrival to the scene, FCFD Chief Scott Mast found a barn fire with smoke showing, but the flames had not broken through the side of the building yet. Mutual-aid companies were requested right from the beginning due to the non-hydranted area and size of the fire load within the barn.
The FCFD received a full response out of Johnsville (Sta. 59) in Morrow County. Tankers were requested from Big Walnut Joint Fire District (Sta. 39); Mount Gilead (Sta. 19) from Morrow County, Jefferson Township in Richland County, and College Township in Knox County. Fredericktown EMS was also dispatched to the call.
The load of the roughly 40’ by 60’ loft style barn quickly fed the fire, which fully engulfed the barn.
The initial approach on the fire was an offensive attack, as fire crews from E419 and incoming trucks stretched multiple 1 ¾” lines from the engine. Fire crews transitioned to a defensive mode when the building began to show signs of collapse.
Water supply was established just east of Batemantown, with grass trucks drafting water from the river and filling tankers as they pulled through. An undetermined amount of water was utilized to extinguish the fire.
The barn held a large quantity of produce materials for the greenhouse operated by the owner. The fire remains under investigation at this time. The structure and contents are a total loss.
The Fredericktown Community Fire District operates from two stations within the 115-square mile district in northwest Knox County. Fire and rescue services are provided by a team of 26 firefighters with varying levels of experience from the basic 36-hour to the 240-hour professional firefighter certification.
