This is not what they call getting off on the right foot.
An Amish business in LaGrange County, Indiana caught fire yesterday and burned down on its very first day of operation.
And it was not a small shop. From WSBT:
“It was fully involved two-thirds of the way down,” said Huffman. “This building is approximately 200 feet long by about 90 feet wide. And it had three semi-loads of hay in the west end of it.”
We were told that every fire department in Lagrange County was called to the fire scene at around 5:30 this morning. Seven departments in all, their early morning firefighting efforts were hampered by heavy winds, a lot of smoke and low visibility.
The business was intended to convert hay into animal food pellets.
LaGrange Fire Captain Matt Huffman explained that the fire was too far along for fire responders to do much:
“We fought everything from the outdoors, there was no sense in sending anybody in, too dangerous,” said Huffman. “Within just a few minutes the roof was collapsing, so it didn’t take very long.”
Fires happen frequently enough in Amish shops, which often contain equipment for manufacturing and engines for generating power.
Photo: WSBT 22
Having a large source of flammable material in the form of the hay is going to present a hazard. Since the accident happened on the very first day, maybe this is a case of flubbing the set-up.
Unfortunately the owners are going to take a big financial hit (and perhaps their church community as well by extension).
On the bright side, no injuries were reported.
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My heart goes out to those Amish who suffered the loss of their business. Good Amish friends of mine had their small Manchester, Wisconsin food market burn to the ground only months after their opening. However, they rolled up their sleeves, rebuilt and to this day they have a thriving business. I help by hauling supplies and in other ways when I can.
I often wish I was good enough to conform to the Amish way of life. Alas, I lack the hardy spirit I so much admire in them.
I wouldn’t wish a burnt-down building on anyone, though I imagine it could be quite rewarding to come together and help someone in your community to rebuild, if and when disaster does strike. Nice that you were able to help out. I’ve found that if you have access to a pickup truck you can be pretty handy indeed.
I wonder how long it will take them to rebuild this one. It usually happens quickly but at 200′ by 90′ this is a large structure.