Bio: Anderson, Dave (Barn Save from Fire – 1972)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Anderson, Weyhmiller, Rueth

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 24 Aug 1972

The Loyal Fire Department, aided by the efforts of many volunteer neighbors and friends, saved the 36 x 100 foot barn on the Dave Anderson farm, located within Loyal's north city limits.

The alarm sounded about 4 p.m. Monday and firemen and volunteers worked until nearly 1 a.m. before leaving the scene.

According to Loyal Fire Chief Mike Weyhmiller, the fire started from spontaneous combustion in the hay mow.

Smoke and flames were shooting from the barn when firemen arrived. Working frantically, the foremen were able to contain the flames, even though smoke still poured from the building.

In the meantime, neighbors and volunteers worked to save the dairy equipment in the milk house and the barn.

With the flames in check, the time consuming task became to remove the smoldering hay and straw from the hay mow area.

About fity high school students, farmers, businessmen and anyone willing to help were throwing the baled hay out, while the City of Loyal front end loader and Fritz Rueth with his bulldozer worked to push the burning hay away from the barn.

Many gallons of water were poured on the fire. Utilizing the City Pumper, the Rural Pumper and Rural Tanker, the fire department was aided by several bulk milk trucke who hauled water to fight the blaze.