Barn Saved by Local Fireman, 1950

Barn is Saved by Local Fireman

August 15, 1950

 

Words of praise and commendation fail to do justice to the untiring efforts of Afton fireman, neighbors and farmer friends who left their work to battle all of Tuesday and thru Tuesday night in an effort to save the large dairy barn of Daniel Grant, whose farm is just inside the village limits [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].  The fire smoldered in 20 hours often bursting into flames in the 80 tons of hay stored in the hugh mow.  Afton's fire alarm sounded at 8:10 Tuesday morning and before the last echo had died away the fire trucks were on the scene with Fire Chief Hurlbert in command.  Hose lines were run across the highway and under the D.&H. tracks to the large barn where smoke was billowing from every opening.  All day long the men worked faithfully stopping now and then for a sandwich or coffee.  Trucks from the Town highway department together with road crews assisted in moving the hugh mass of hay to a nearby meadow.  As the work progressed, many of the loads were so hot they had to be dumped quickly, and early in the evening, the hay spread out on the meadow began to burn until the evening sky was aglow and the reflection could be seen for many miles.  Friends of Mrs. Grant gathered at her home to work all thru the day and night in preparing refreshments for the weary fire fighters.  One of the finest acts of friendship loyalty and good will was demonstrated at this unusual fire and Mr. Grant still has a barn worth many thousands of dollars in place of a smoking ruin.  An insurance man said it was the first such barn fire he could remember in which the building was saved, when conditions looked so hopeless.  At the time the firemen arrived, it appeared as if the barn was doomed but by pouring tons of water on the hay and working under great difficulties, with gas masks, the fire was brought under control and the men started the big job of moving the hay.  About 50 tons of hay in all were destroyed, representing many weeks of hard work.  Mrs. Breese, Mrs. Grant's father, stated the barn was built over 60 years ago and is one of the largest in the vicinity.  Mr. Grant raises prize Holstein dairy cattle, and has often received state and national recognition for his splendid dairy.