Bio: Koski, Grant – Loyal Barn Fire (28 Mar 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Koski, Radue

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 31 Mar 2021

A March 28 early morning fire of undetermined cause levelled a barn and killed approximately 200 pigs just west of Loyal along Highway 98. Farm owner Grant Koski said his entire inventory of animals was killed in the blaze, many of which were to be sold to area youths for county fair swine-raising projects.

Koski said all was normal when he went to sleep on Saturday night. That changed quickly.

“The dog woke me up a little before 2 in the morning,” Koski said. “Out the window, I could see that the field was orange, glowing ... When I looked, the whole front of the barn was engulfed.”

Loyal Fire Chief Scott Radue said the structure was in full flame mode by the time the department arrived after receiving the page at 1:56 a.m.

“It was on the verge of falling in,” he said, as fire trucks and crews from six area departments arrived to assist. The wooden structure with tin siding was a total loss.

Inside, said Koski, were two boars and approximately 40 sows and about 150 small pigs. He had so many on hand at this time because it’s the time of year when youths who show hogs at late summer county fairs need to get them and began their feeding programs. Koski has been raising hogs since about 2003 and for years has been a main supplier for local youths and their projects. His main sale for this summer’s hogs was planned for April 10.

In fact, Koski said, some of the piglets were due to leave the farm the very next morning.

“Kids from Chippewa County were coming and picking up the first pigs,” he said.

Koski estimates he sells about 100 young hogs each spring to youths who show at six different county fairs. He’s already been in contact with friends he knows who also raise pigs and has been putting youths in touch with them.

“Some of them were already buying pigs other places,” Koski said. “There’s a timeline here.”

Radue said no exact cause of the fire has been identified, and one may never be as the structure was completely destroyed. Koski said he lost all the livestock and related equipment, and a semi-tractor/trailer and a tractor and corn planter that were parked near the barn sustained damage.

In addition to Loyal, fire departments from Greenwood, Granton, Spencer, Owen-Withee and Neillsville sent water tank trucks and/manpower to assist in the blaze. Koski said he wants to thank all the responders, as well as the friends and neighbors who have offered help since the fire.

As for his plans for restarting his hog operation, Koski said it’s too early to know.

“Right now, it’s just completely undecided,” he said.