(Updated 3:37-a.m.) – At least seven fire departments responded to a large fire in Stuart Sunday evening. The blaze at the Stuart Sale Barn (523 Front Street) was reported at around 6:40-p.m.  The building is used for auctions, and often to sell livestock and farming equipment.

Firefighters from Stuart, Menlo, Casey, Adair, Dexter, Redfield and Earlham fought the wooden structure’s flames, but the empty and unoccupied building was nearly completely engulfed by the time the first crews arrived.

Authorities closed Highway 6 leading into Stuart and re-routed traffic while firefighters were on the scene and during the mop-up. A cause of the blaze had not been determined as of late Sunday evening.

A separate fire Sunday evening in Walnut was suspected to have been caused by a lightning strike. The owners told officials they heard a pop at around 6:15-p.m., and soon after smelled smoke. An investigation found wiring had burned through in an attic at 907 North Street caused some minor flame and smoke damage to the home. No injuries were reported. Earlier in the day, Sunday, a lightning strike is suspected of causing a fire at a motel in Council Bluffs.