Fire destroys barn near Burlington

No people or horses were harmed in a Friday morning blaze that destroyed a barn near Burlington, though fire officials said some chickens were killed.

Crews responded at 8:52 a.m. to reports of a fully involved barn fire on Plank Road, between Romke and Brier Hill roads, said Fire Chief Greg Partch of the Burlington Community Fire Protection District.

Flames already were through the roof when firefighters arrived, he said, "so there really wasn't much we could save."

The property owner, who lives in an adjacent house, told officials he went into the barn about 8:15 a.m. to put meat in his freezer, Partch said. A half-hour later, he noticed the flames.

Owners were able to save the horses that were being kept in the barn, but some chickens perished, Partch said.

The structure was deemed a total loss, he said, and one window of the adjacent house had heat damage. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

Plank Road was closed Friday morning between Route 47 and Romke Road while firefighters battled the blaze. Crews were at the scene until midafternoon.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.