Lightning blamed for barn fire
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
CASTLE HILL — A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a barn on the McDonald Road.
LIGHTNING was believed to be the cause of a fire Monday that destroyed a barn/workshop located on the McDonald Road in Castle Hill. 
Crews from the Mapleton and Presque Isle fire departments responded to extinguish the blaze. Here, a firefighter hoses down a section of the structure.
Owner Ron Argraves was at the scene as firefighters from Mapleton and Presque Isle battled the blaze, which was reported around 3 p.m. Monday, July 23. Argraves indicated he believed an afternoon thunderstorm and associated lightning was what ignited the fire.
“I’d heard thunder and saw several flashes in the area. I think lightning struck the barn,” said Argraves.
The former barn was currently being used as a storage facility and tool shop.
“I had several tools housed in there. Everything in there’s gone,” said Argraves. “I had some insurance on it but not sure if it will cover everything.”
A cow was safely grazing on a nearby section of lawn. When asked if any other animals had been in the structure, Argraves said ‘no,’ the facility wasn’t used for such.
Firefighters from the two departments were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent trees in the heavily wooded location, as well as to a nearby home. The Mapleton crew cleared the scene around 5 p.m.
A crew from Maine Public Service assisted at the scene by disconnecting power to the building. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
