Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Fire destroys barn, 25 hogs



Fire once again caused dismay to the Jeff Long family,
as a hog barn was consumed by flames northeast of Howard Lake Monday evening.

The barn fire killed 25 feeder pigs, which is about half
of the Longs’ herd, said Jeff’s wife, Ginny.

The fire might have been caused by faulty wiring next to
the hay, but they are not entirely certain what caused the fire, Ginny said.

They are not insured for the loss.

Previously, the Longs’ home was completely destroyed by
fire Feb. 10, 1995.

When the fire started, Jeff was in the barn with his son
John, 12, doing chores, according to a report from the Wright County Sheriff.

They had just finished moving about seven or eight sows
into a different barn when the flames started, relative David Sale said.

Jeff’s son, John, 12, witnessed a spark that appeared to
start in the hay on the second floor, said his sister Mindy, 10.

Trying to get the feeder pigs out was nearly impossible,
because they kept running back into the burning building and refused to
come out, said relative Travis Remer.

Remer remembered one in particular that he tried to coax
out the door, but it went screaming back into the barn, he said.

In fact, the Longs had to endure more than an hour of screaming
from the pigs, Ginny said.

The fire caused heat damage to siding on the house, Ginny
said.

Jeff reported that it was possible the hay was too wet
and might have caused spontaneous combustion, according to the police report.

The Longs raised the pigs as part of a hobby farm operation.
Jeff works as a carpenter full time.

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