Top photo shows the bam fire at the Joseph 801 l farm approximately 20 minutes after it started. Lower photo shows the same bam, which measured 120 by 45 feet, about two hours later. Volunteers from six fire companies rushed to the scene and were able to save the lower portion of the bam, including the milking parlor. The Bolls were able to milk that same night, after an electrician had installed temporary wiring. -% '*• ‘ «***-*»•(£> 3>; ->r-V-?ti?«^^%>... .- v \■ ~ * ' Fire destroys Joseph 801 l barn The blaze touched off what is known among fire officials as a “zone alarm.” Six companies (Penryn, Lititz, Manheim, Brickerville, Brunnerville, and Rothsville) rushed to the scene, and four others were alerted to be on standby. The younger 801 l ex plained that he had been heating some vegetable oil with an electric heater, and supposed that it might have sparked the explosion. The vegetable oilis an ingredient for a feed mix he makes on the farm. “I have been doing it for years,” he said sadly, still bewildered as to how and tr t'-r < ,~j - r- c ''' > 4?*.~ why the disaster struck. The amount of oil which was being heated was in a five gallon can and a 55-gallon drum stood just a few feet away. 801 l believes the fire started with the heater and oil and then went to the bin wagon, which was loaded with shelled com. It was at that point that he and his son walked into the bam and began pulling out equipment. The family was able to save most of the machinery which had been stored in the 120 by 45 foot structure. With fire trucks and personnel arriving one after another once the zone alarm '•v * '<*9 5 I was sounded, the area around the barn was buzzing with activity and lined with more than a dozen hoses. A small pond behind the bam provided water at the rate of 2,000 gallons per minute for the more than two hours that firemen spent fighting the blaze. The fire was under control by about 1:15, but adjacent structures, in cluding the Richard 801 l home, were still of concern. By 2 p.m. firemen and neigh bors had already begun clean-up activities in spite of isolated areas of burning debris. Attempting to assess the damage, 801 l was unable to „ 'MK&vtyxp 1 , M Vflf - - 4 —„” V- * ; ... ' ‘.'V- A:g v i’H • ■< . V ir - i % come up with a figure in terms of dollars. His main concern was being able to milk his herd of 44 Holsteins. Early reports indicated he would be able to do so. The milking parlor and the lower level of the bam, which contains free-stalls, were untouched by flames. But there was considerable damage from smoke and water, and the electrical wiring will need to be replaced. Speaking with Lancaster Farming on Friday morning, Richard 801 l confirmed that he was.indeed able to use the livestock area of the bam Lancaster Farmini and that he was even able to milk that same night. “We ran a lot of temporary wiring the electrician went to work while things above ' were still smoldering,” 801 l remarked over the phone. “We started milking at around 8:00 or 8:30.” The Lancaster County farmer expressed a lot of gratitude for his good neigh bors during the con servation, adding that between 80 and 90 people came on Thursday afternoon for clean-up activities. “They came with manure spreaders, forks, and loaders,” he said, “and Oct. n. 1975- Saturda: Lancaster Farming Photo by Dieter Kf [Continued from Page 1] hauled out the smoldering hay.” Women of the area go together to provide food an< drink for the men, many o whom worked until pas midnight. “We really ap predate the help,” he sai< humbly. The Bolls aren’t sure ye just exactly what will b done to replace the ol structure but plans ar being made. A contracto came to the farm Frida; afternoon to survey th situation, and the 801 l themselves took a little tim off to look around at othe barns after which they migt pattern their own. 21
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