7 feeder cattle perish in Covington barn fire; as many as 18 escape

UPDATE @ 2:47 a.m.: Seven feeder cattle perished in the barn fire on North Rangeline Road that caused at least $100,000 damage, Covington Fire Chief Bart Weer said.

As many as 18 cattle escaped, he said.

Crews dispatched to the 8800 block of North Rangeline about 11:50 p.m. Friday went defensive when they arrived to find the structure fully engulfed, Chief Weer said.

The cause is under investigation, but he noted a thunderstorm was in the area at the time the fire was reported and said that could be a possible cause.

Friday night, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell reported that thunderstorms carrying lightning were in the region throughout much of Friday night.

SEE ALSO: Scattered storms return to region for weekend

Chief Weer said the property owner had several pieces of antique equipment and several bales of hay in the barn along with the feeder cattle. The structure will continue to smolder into the morning.

The chief estimated the dollar loss at $100,000 to $120,000.

Crews from Pleasant Hill, Bradford, Russia, Houston and Versailles responded to the fire as well.

INITIAL REPORT (Aug. 11)

Crews from several jurisdictions are on the scene of a barn fire in the 8800 block of North Rangeline Road in Covington.

SEE ALSO: 2 injured in Riverside house fire

Reports of a fully engulfed structure came to this newsroom Friday just before midnight. Crews from Bradford, Covington, Houston and Russia are on scene, trucking in water to the barn, which reportedly is at least 1,000 feet from the road.

We’re hearing that at least one firefighter was overcome by heat and required treatment at the scene.

We will update this developing report as we get information. Stay with whio.com for breaking news.

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