Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of a fire that destroyed a large old barn at N8959 U.S. Highway 45, about three miles south of Clintonville, on Monday afternoon.
The barn was owned by Theresa and Chris Gilling. Theresa Gilling said there was no electricity to the barn, which was being used for storage. Horse hay stored in the barn fueled the fire, she said.
Gilling said the house on the property is rented by Kelly Clark, who was able to get several horses and steers out of the barn. The animals were taken to a neighbor’s for temporary shelter.
The fire was reported just before 4 p.m. Monday. The barn was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The Clintonville, Marion, Bear Creek, and Embarrass fire departments responded. Traffic on Highway 45 was rerouted for several hours.
No cost estimates of the barn or its contents were available.
Donations for hay are being accepted. For information, call Eileen Lamm at 715-823-4429.