Fire investigators were back on the scene this (Monday) morning, of a blaze that destroyed the Stuart Sale Barn, Sunday evening. Stuart Fire Chief Mike Renslow told KJAN News the call about the fire came in at 6:42-p.m., and in the less than four minutes it took for crews to arrive on the scene, the wood-framed, steel building was fully engulfed in flames.

Stuart Sale Barn (file photo from their Facebook page)

Renslow said around a dozen goats perished in the fire. At least seven fire departments responded with mutual aid to fight the fire, including Menlo, Casey, Adair, Dexter, Redfield and Earlham. Law enforcement officers from Stuart, Guthrie County and the Iowa State Patrol helped to divert traffic from the scene. Firefighters were there for about five and one-half hours fighting the flames, with crews from Stuart remaining on the scene until the wee hours of the morning today (Monday), to control any hot spots.

The fire is believed to have started in the back of the barn, in a pen that held the livestock. Brisk winds helped push the fire toward the building. The Stuart Sale Barn (at 523 Front Street) was used for auctions, and often to sell livestock and farming equipment. The facility has been a gathering place for sales for the community and surrounding area since the 1950’s. It’s unclear if the owners plan to rebuild.

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,  resulting in some minor flame and smoke damage to the home. No injuries were reported.