FRUITLAND BLAZE DESTROYS BARN, SEVERAL VEHICLES

FRUITLAND -- Gordonville firefighters joined volunteers from the Fruitland Area Fire Protection District to battle a fire in a futile effort to save a barn and its contents Saturday afternoon.

The fire occured at 16452 Hwy. 177 near Fruitland at approximately 4:10 p.m. Firefighters realized early on that the building could not be saved and concentrated on preventing the blaze from spreading to several surrounding storage structures.

Destroyed in the fire were two vehicles, two tractors and a bulldozer all owned by Mark Howard.

The origin of the fire is undetermined at this time. The Fruitland Fire Department is investigating the incident.

Fruitland firefighter Charles Griffith discovered the blaze as he was driving by on Hwy. 177. He said heavy smoke was already billowing from the building when he called for help.

The structure was completely involved by the time firefighters reported to the scene, Griffith said, and a request for help from the East County Volunteer Fire Department was made when the fire threatened to spread to nearby structures.

Although several vehicles were destroyed by the blaze, there was no threat of explosion or hazardous smoke, he said.