Several area fire departments responded to a hog barn fire that broke out last Tuesday evening in southern Elkhart County. Fortunately, the barn with capacity for 2,400 nursery pigs had been depopulated the prior week, and no animals or humans were injured.
Firefighters with Benton Twp., Syracuse, New Paris, Turkey Creek Twp. and several other departments were called around 9 p.m. to 72193 C.R. 133, Syracuse. The barn was owned by Lloyd Hochstetler.
Fire crews worked quickly to bring the blaze under control. They stayed at the scene until just after midnight.
Although the barn was a total loss, firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to two adjoining barns that contained live pigs. High winds at the time created challenging conditions for the firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though Hochstetler said an electrical short might have sparked the flames.
On Wednesday morning, workers were busy clearing away the charred debris.