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Fire destroys barn.
#OceanaCountyNews
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
HART TOWNSHIP — A decades-old barn was destroyed by fire Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28, at Jerry Brandel Farms, 1966 N. 94th Ave.
The fire began as a grass fire and spread to the barn, said owner Jerry Brandel. The timing couldn’t have been worse for Brandel, whose 73rd birthday is today.
“It’s a sad day,” he said. “This is my birthday present.”
The barn used to house animals, but fortunately it was no longer used for livestock.
No one was injured.
The 50-by-60 foot barn was built in the 1940s, he said. “The barn was here when I bought the place in 1962. I just put a new roof on it two years ago.”
It is not known how the grass fire began. Brandel did not immediately know if the barn was insured.
Inside the barn were two motorcycles and various farming equipment, including several cardboard boxes used for shipping produce. The cardboard boxes appeared to fuel the fire.
Fortunately, Brandel’s nearby office and home were spared, although the office did sustain some exterior damage with melting siding. “I’m lucky it didn’t burn the office,” he said. “It went real quick and fast.”
Firefighters from Hart Area, Shelby-Benona, Walkerville and Ferry Township departments responded to the scene. Crystal Township Fire Department was requested, and Oceana EMS was on standby. Also the Oceana Field office of the DNR assisted.
This story is copyrighted © 2018, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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