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BELMONT -- Thanks to a sharp-eyed sheriff's deputy and a brave resident, a calf was rescued from a barn as the structure was going up in flames Tuesday evening.
According to Belmont Police Chief Andrew Miller, a Belmont County sheriff's deputy was driving past the Stephens' family barn on his way home from work when he noticed a small fire had broken out in the structure. Miller was the next responder to report to the scene, located just north of the village along Ohio 149. He said the structure was engulfed in flames by the time he arrived minutes after the deputy reported the blaze.
Owner Beth Stephens said the barn normally houses two horses, but they were already in a nearby field when the blaze broke out. She said one calf was inside the structure, but her adult son, Doug Stephens, was able to get the young animal out before the fire began to burn out of control. Although no lives were lost and no injuries resulted, Beth Stephens said some toys, equipment and other personal possessions stored inside the building were lost to the flames.
Fire Departments from Belmont, Bethesda and Barnesville responded to battle the blaze. In addition to multiple fire engines and other trucks, at least one emergency squad was on site in case anyone would need medical attention.
Fire crews and law enforcement closed Ohio 149, Belmont-Morristown Road, for about two hours while they fought the flames. Fire engines, hoses and equipment were preventing traffic from passing through, as water had to be drawn from a hydrant on the opposite side of the highway.
Thick smoke blanketed the area, and water used to douse the flames quickly froze in the frigid conditions. Temperatures hovered in the mid-20s just after sunset.
The fire broke out around 6 p.m. Tuesday, and Miller said the road reopened around 8 p.m. A witness described the fire as "intense and scary," and Miller commented that "it was up in flames very quickly." The barn appeared to be a total loss.