Barn burns

A Hartzell Farms chicken barn was destroyed Sunday in a massive fire that produced billowing smoke visible for miles.

The fire was in a barn at the Hartzell Farms facility at 3636 E. 100 North. Firefighters also responded to a rekindle late Sunday evening.

Though officially undetermined, the cause of the fire is thought to be electrical.

Seven fire departments battled the fire that took nearly two and a half hours to control.

Portland Fire Department initially responded to the 3:50 p.m. call and was on the scene three minutes later. In all, the department had four trucks and 20 firefighters on the scene.

Joining in the fight were the Salamonia, Bryant, Pennville, Southwest Mercer (Fort Recovery), St. Henry and Coldwater fire departments. A total of 14 trucks were used in all.

Firefighters had the fire under control at 6:14 p.m., with Portland’s crews returning to the station at 8:31 p.m.

Reports at the scene said there were animals inside the barn that was on fire.

County road 100 North was closed between county roads 300 East and 400 East because of the fire.

Social media comments Sunday evening indicated that smoke was visible as far away as Dunkirk.

The rekindle was called in to Portland Fire Department at 11:21 p.m. Sunday, with firefighters arriving four minutes later with three trucks and eight firefighters. The fire was out by about 12:30 a.m. Monday.