MOTLEY-Fifteen cows were saved from a barn fire Tuesday night north of Motley.
Fire crews from Motley and Pillager responded to a barn fire just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, on the 9900 block of Highway 64 Southwest in Becker Township, about 8 miles north of Motley.
Motley Fire Chief Brad Olson said the estimated 100-by-50-foot barn with steel siding was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. There were about 25 firefighters on scene, and by the time the fire was out and firefighters were back at their fire stations, it was about 11 p.m.
Olson said firefighters were able to contain the fire to the barn. The cause of the fire is undetermined and is being investigated by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office. The fire is not suspicious in nature.
The homeowners are Travis and Jacqueline DiGiovanni. Olson said the homeowners were in the house and when they looked outside they saw the barn was on fire.
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Firefighters faced single-digit temperatures, and challenges with ice. On its Facebook page, Pillager Area Fire and Rescue reported the Minnesota Department of Transportation assisted in salting and sanding the road and driveway for fire crews.
