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BRUSSELS, Wis. (WFRV) – Nearly a dozen animals were killed on Tuesday evening due to a fire at a Door County barn that was built over 80 years ago.
According to a Brussels-Union-Gardner (BUG) Fire Department release, crews were sent to a reported fire at 9004 Star Road in Brussels around 4:48 p.m. on Tuesday. The initial reports indicated that a barn was fully on fire while animals were still inside.
The first units arrived on the scene at roughly 4:54 p.m., and confirmed reports that the west end of the barn was on fire with smoke coming out of the structure, which was about 50 feet from a home.
The property owners on the scene were trying to evacuate animals, as on-scene fire crews joined deputies from the Door County Sheriff’s Office in a rescue attempt of some animals. They rescued some full-size pigs and three piglets from the east side before it became fully engulfed end-to-end.
Firefighters evacuated about 30 chickens, reportedly getting them into another on-site structure. First engine crews aggressively attacked the fire, reportedly knocking flames down in roughly 30-40 minutes
Amidst suppression efforts, a metal roof collapsed, and an excavator helped remove it so crews could fully extinguish. The fire’s original starting point appeared isolated to the west side.
The property owners confirmed that baby goats were in a room with two heat lamps to keep them warm, adding that they did not have insurance on the barn, built in 1940. The building was roughly 100 feet by 40 feet. The home also sustained heat damage to its exterior siding.
Unfortunately, five goats and six pigs died in the fire, which is still being investigated for the cause; however, initial reports indicate that it was not suspicious.
Two water supply fill sites were set up at the BUG Fire Station 1 on County C, and 10 units and 29 firefighters responded to the scene. The incident was cleared roughly four hours (9:01 p.m.) after the initial report.
The fire is still under investigation, and no more details were provided.