Fire destroys Eden Township barn.

Fire destroys Eden Township barn.

#MasonCountyNews

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

EDEN TOWNSHIP — Four fire departments fought a barn fire in the 4100 block of South Darr Road early this morning. The fire was discovered about 3 a.m. Initial dispatch information stated that it was fully engulfed in flames. Riverton Fire Department, Custer Fire Department, Scottville Fire Department and Branch Fire Department were called to the scene. Firefighters were also assisted by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

RIverton Fire Chief Joe Cooper said the barn housed cows and pigs. While the cows were able to escape, the pigs did not survive. “The owner had heat lamps in the barn, warming the pigs,” Cooper said. “I can’t say for sure if that was the cause of the fire, but it’s very likely. The barn was completely destroyed and we won’t ever know the actual cause.”

Cooper said the owners and neighbors offered coffee, water, and treats for the firefighters.

“We were very appreciative of them. Some of the ladies even made fresh brownies for us,” he said.

There were several occurrences at the time of the fire, which challenged the firefighters, Cooper said. “One of the Custer trucks and one of the Branch trucks each hit a deer on Custer Road — almost in the same spot — heading out to the fire. Our department got called out to a medical call while we were en-route to the fire; Scottville Fire Department got called to assist Fountain Area Fire Department for another fire on Sugar Grove Road, so they left their tanker truck at the Darr Road fire; Scottville also got dispatched to a medical call during that time.”

Cooper said neighbors brought in an excavator to help rip apart sheet metal, which helped cool down the fire.

Firefighters cleared the scene about 7:30 a.m.