Sunday blaze destroys Smyrna chicken barn

by Staff Pioneer Times
13 years ago

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
NE-CLR-Barn Fire-dc-pt-30ALL THAT’S LEFT— A barn owned by John Graham was flattened by fire early Sunday morning. Nearly 250 chickens and other birds perished in the fire.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    SMYRNA — Firefighters from six departments were unable to save a Smyrna man’s barn after it erupted in flames early Sunday morning.
    According to Oakfield Fire Chief Joe White, firefighters were called to the U.S. Route 2 home of John Graham in Smyrna shortly before 7 a.m. Sunday when a passing motorist saw smoke coming from Graham’s barn.
    The barn, which housed about 250 chickens, pheasants, turkeys and other birds, was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived, White said. He believed the majority of the animals perished in the fire.
    “The fire spread quickly and the barn came down probably within 15 minutes of us being there,” White said.
    Graham’s home, located about 25 feet in front of the barn, had the siding melted in places, but was spared from any serious damage, the chief said. White said the fact that the barn was constructed with tin likely saved Graham’s home as it kept the bulk of the heat inside the barn.
    Prior to fire officials arriving on the scene, the owner, as well as several neighbors from the Amish community, were attempting to retrieve equipment and animals from inside the barn, according to Cara Maples, the motorist who phoned in the fire.
Contributed photo/Cara Maples
NE-CLR-Fire-dcx2-pt-30ABLAZE — Before firefighters arrived, flames pour from  John Graham’s barn.
    “There weren’t any flames when I pulled up, but by the time I called 9-1-1, it started to get bad, really quick,” Maples said. “I helped save some of his belongings but it got so hot so quick. The Amish men were crazy brave running into the barn to try and save the chickens. It was just so sad.”
    White said his department received mutual aid from Island Falls, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten and Houlton. The ignition source of the fire was not determined, the chief said.
    “It’s impossible to tell what started it,” he said.
    The chief added no one was in the barn at the time the fire started. No one was injured while fighting the fire. Attempts to reach Graham were not successful by presstime. The building was insured, White said.