Four fire depts. battled Sibley Twp. dairy barn blaze
July 12th, 2006Four fire departments with 50-60 firefighters were unable to save a dairy barn Sunday at the Daryl and Shar Husfeldt farm in Sibley Township. Remarkably, most of the dairy herd was saved.
Gaylord’s Fire Department was called at 5:13 a.m. Arlington, Winthrop and New Auburn Fire Departments were called to provide mutual aid.
Daryl Husfeldt said that he discovered the fire when he was walking out to the barn to do chores. What he initially thought was the sun reflecting off a window proved to be flames.
The Husfeldts were milking about 50 head. Three cows perished in the fire, and a few others were injured. In addition to the barn, a lot of equipment was destroyed by the fire, Husfeldt said.
According to Fire Chief Ron Otto, the barn was engulfed by flames when the firefighters arrived. Area departments were called for mutual aid to provide additional manpower and to haul water. Nine trucks from the four fire departments hauled 100,000 - 130,000 gallons of water, Otto explained.
Otto said that by the time the firefighters arrived, the barn was “beyond saving.” The barn was 36 x 94 feet. The new addition was built in 1978. The older part of the barn was built in 1937 but had been renovated, Husfeldt explained.
Firefighters concentrated on protecting the surrounding buildings, which included a calf farm, pole barn, and small storage sheds. Computerized feeding equipment was also lost in the blaze, Otto said.
Daryl and Shar and three sons - Ryan, Adam, and Scott - had gotten most of the dairy cattle out. Husfeldt said that his sons suffered burns to their feet, and Husfeldt believes he has a broken toe.
Son Adam’s show cattle were saved. Husfeldt said that they got out of the barn when they could no longer see four feet in front of them.
Otto said he believes the fire began in the hay mow, but has no idea what caused it.
The herd is now at the Jeff Kohls farm, about five miles from Husfeldts. Husfeldts have not decided whether or not to rebuild.
Gaylord’s Ambulance Service was called as a precaution.
In addition to the four departments at Husfeldts’ fire, the Green Isle Fire Department was called to man the Gaylord Fire Hall in case any other calls were received. Henderson’s Fire Department was called to Arlington.
Otto said this was the worst fire for the Gaylord Fire Department since the Latchman house fire in December 2004.
Note - It was the request of Mr. Husfeldt that The Hub does not take any pictures of the damage.
Similar Articles:
