NEAVE TOWNSHIP – A father and daughter celebrating their birthdays together Saturday evening were devastated when a four-alarm fire broke out in one of the family’s barns. At approximately 6:54 p.m., emergency personnel from the New Madison Fire Department and Tri-Village Rescue responded along with multiple departments from Darke, Miami and Preble counties to 4243 Hollansburg-Sampson Road in regards to a fully involved barn fire with multiple exposures.
Arriving units reported heavy smoke and flames coming from a barn on the property with a fuel tank and a barn housing 498 hogs within close proximity. A fourth alarm was requested for additional engines and manpower in an attempt to aid in the protection of those exposures.
“My daughter and husband are celebrating their birthdays today,” stated Sharon Brewer, resident of the property. “The kids were outside playing volleyball when my daughter came in and told me there was a fire near the barn,” she continued. “By the time I made it outside the barn was full of smoke and you could see the flames all the way up at the peak of the roof.”
Along with the loss of the barn, described as being used for storage and having a small shop as well, the family reported having lost a truck and multiple household items being stored in the barn. “I had my grandmother’s belongings stored in the back of the barn and things we had left from the move here,” continued Mrs. Brewer. “There’s nothing that can’t be replaced though. I’m just glad with everybody here that no one was hurt.”
“I can’t say how grateful I am for all the help we have had here tonight,” commented Kevin Brewer as he fought back tears, “All these people here for us is just unreal, really. I want them to know how much I appreciate everything,” he added. “From what I can tell they saved the hog barn and all of the hogs inside. I can’t thank them enough for all their hard work.”
Robert Cook, Fire Chief for New Madison Fire Department echoed Mr. Brewer’s sentiments. “I would like to thank all the departments that helped us out here tonight. We had to request a fourth alarm for the manpower tonight but it paid off in the long run. Everyone worked hard and got the job done together.”
The cause and nature of the fire are unknown at this time and will remain under investigation.
