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Napanee Fire Department battles frigid temperatures in early-morning fire

Click to play video: 'Fire causes $500K in damages to home, say Napanee firefighters'
Fire causes $500K in damages to home, say Napanee firefighters
Firefighters from three fire stations responded to a structure fire early Tuesday morning. No one was injured, but the blaze destroyed a barn, pickup truck and tractor-trailer that was parked on the property – Feb 26, 2019

Firefighters were called out to a massive fire early Tuesday morning. Officials say they responded to a structure fire along Country Road 2 around 5:20 a.m.

When they arrived, they found at least two buildings on fire, a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer that was parked beside the barn. Chief Rob Serson with the Greater Napanee Fire Department says the fire was quite extensive.

Investigators say the fire was sparked by high winds that pulled hydro wires right off the barn.

“With the wind this morning, the initial barn fire, it did spread to one dry shed and also a tractor-trailer,” says Serson. “It was pushing smoke and fire across the road, hampering vehicles and our personnel.”

Napanee Fire Department work on extinguishing a fire at a barn on County Road 2. Bill Hammond
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At some points, there were more than 25 firefighters on the scene. The temperature at the time of the blaze was near -20 C, with whipping winds. Chief Serson says these factors contributed to making it a difficult fire to knock down.

“The extreme cold temperature today is causing some problems. We are having some problems with things freezing up.”

No one was injured in the fire, but it took an hour-and-a-half for crews to extinguish the blaze. They’re expected to stay on site into the early afternoon, putting out hot spots.

A number of animals, including horses and cows, were also in the barn at the time, — they all escaped. The owners, who are thankful everyone is safe, say there is a silver lining though — they delivered a healthy baby calf amidst the commotion.

A baby calf stands for the first time after its mother gave birth to it moments after a fire on the property. Frazer Snowdon

Damages are estimated at $500,000. A GoFundMe was launched to help the family who owned the farm.

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