Fire damaged a large barn on a farm near Great Bend, North Dakota Sunday, April 21st.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office says the fire was reported shortly after 3 p.m. First responders could see flames up to 20 feet above the barn’s roof.
Great Bend firefighters had the fire under control quickly and within 30 minutes were putting out hot spots in the hayloft.
The likely ignition source was embers from a pile of burning tree limbs blown by strong winds onto the 100-year-old wooden shingles on the barn. The barn had significant damage to the roof and rafters.
The Sheriff’s Office adds some ducks and chickens were in the barn with free access to the outside and, “seemingly nonplussed by the fire, safely self-evacuated themselves.”
The Dwight Fire Department assisted with additional water supplies and mutual aid.