Fire destroyed 200 hay bales

A barn fire outside of Jackson this week destroyed an estimated 200 round bales of hay, fire officials said Friday.

According to Millersville Volunteer Fire Department chief Randy Altenburg, the cause of Thursday's fire at 843 County Road 459, is unknown. Owners Tom and Teresa O'Loughlin told firefighters they thought the hay in the barn was still somewhat green.

The fire began around 11 a.m. Thursday. The barn eventually collapsed over the hay, causing the fire department to bring in an excavator to lift metal beams that had fallen. Another hay-filled barn about 30 feet away had to be cooled down by firefighters after the metal began to melt. Firefighters did not leave the scene until 8:30 p.m.