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Fire claims second barn in less than a week

EP building a total loss

Morning Journal/Patti Schaeffer East Palestine and New Waterford firefighters attack the flames inside an old barn on Bacon Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Firefighters from Negley, New Springfield and Darlington, Pa., also assisted at the scene with tankers, engines and manpower to bring the barn, owned by Dan Huff, under control.

EAST PALESTINE — A passerby calling 911 alerted firefighters to a blaze at a barn on Bacon Avenue on the west end of the village shortly after 1 a.m.

East Palestine Fire Chief Josh Brown said the barn, which was being used mainly to store items, was a total loss. There was no electricity connected to the barn, leading Brown and other firefighters to deem the fire to be suspicious.

Firefighters from East Palestine, New Waterford, Negley, Darlington Township (Pa.) and Springfield Township gathered at the scene after the call came in at 1:05 a.m. and the fire was confirmed by Police Lt. Donald Johnson, who was out on patrol.

Besides the water utilized from nearby fire hydrants, Brown said firefighters hauled in 17 tanker trucks of water and used the ladder aerial to douse the fire from above.

The last firefighters left the scene and returned to the station at 6:55 a.m. No injuries were reported.

Inside the charred barn is a boat, a 1950s era Cadillac and other items. The barn, owned by Dan Huff, was not insured.

Brown said the state fire marshal’s office is expected to assist the department in looking at the evidence on Monday.

At this point they believe there was no one inside the barn or around it. Neighbors were awakened after the fire was discovered. Brown said the neighbors interviewed told investigators they did not hear or see anything prior the the fire starting.

This is the second barn fire in the area in less than a week with the first on Monday at a farm on Raley Road in Elkrun Township. The fires were less than six miles apart.

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