Firefighters faced brutal cold at Barre fire
Photos by Tom Rivers – Firefighters were on the scene in Barre for several hours in frigid temperatures last night.
BARRE The conditions at last night’s fire in Barre, temperatures at 2 degrees below zero, were brutal on local firefighters, who arrived at the scene at about 8 p.m. and didn’t leave until 1 a.m., Barre Fire Chief Jesse Babcock said.
“The firefighters did a heck of a job for the conditions,” Babcock said this morning.
The ground was slippery from the water on the road. Firefighters also had to keep water moving through the hoses so the lines wouldn’t freeze. Firefighters fought off the cold by trying to stay in constant motion.
The fire left a farmhouse at a total loss at 14665 East Barre Rd. Babcock said the fire started in the back corner of the house. The fire remains under investigation. A cause has not been declared yet.
Police and fire officials have not released the names of the house’s owner or the occupants. The Red Cross is assisting the family.
Barre was assisted by fire companies from Albion, Town of Batavia, Carlton, Clarendon, East Shelby, Elba, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, Holley, Oakfield and Shelby.
