May 21, 2013

Search:

Save Email Print Bookmark and Share
Posted: Wed 4:59 PM, Jun 13, 2012
A A
Reporter: Courtney Everett Email
Updated: Wed 5:46 PM, Jun 13, 2012

Barn destroyed in Bloomer fire

(WEAU) - Multiple departments were called to 85th St., north of Bloomer around 7:30am on Wednesday.

“I looked through the bathroom window and I seen the smoke between the barn and the silos,” said Harley Christianson

It was a day that semi-retired Harley and Arlene Christianson couldn’t have predicted.

“It’s hard to see. No animals were hurt or anything like that. We go from there," said Arlene Christianson.

“Leaving work, I had immediately called for mutual aid from more Tenders," said Brian Bleskacek, Bloomer Fire Chief.

The Bloomer Fire Chief says several fire departments such as Tilden, Chippewa Fire District, New Auburn and Eagle Point helped out.
He also says the Tenders dropped off more than 200,000 gallons of water to help put out the fire.

Meanwhile the Christianson family says they had a barn fire back in 1998 and neighbors have always lent a helping hand.

"We've always had good neighbors in this area. We never can complain. Everybody is helpful either way you look," said Arlene.

"Just that kind of neighborhood, that's what we do. There's a problem we help take care of it," said neighbor Jim Mikula.

Neighbor Jim Mikula says he's grown up with Harley and is happy to take in eight calves that no longer have a home.

"My barn is empty and we have the opportunity to help them out and we made a place for them," said Mikula.

The Fire Chief says it took several hours to put out fire, but is the average time for barn fires.

"The ladder truck does a great job of getting the water high, when you're at the ground level, spraying the water up you can't get the water where it needs to be," said Fire Department Chief.

The official cause of the fire is still unknown, but the Fire Chief believes an electrical fan may have been a factor.

“Thankful for everybody that pitched in and helped and good thing it wasn't any worse than it was," said Harley.

The Western Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross sent three disaster volunteers to the fire. They provided food, drink and snacks to the responding fire departments.

No one was hurt in the fire.

Next Story >
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
powered by Disqus

Community Headlines

More Community Headlines

Interviews

More Interviews