1/19/11 - Leslie barn fire, 1211 Plains Rd

On Wednesday, January 20, 2011, at 5:30 PM, the Leslie Fire Department was dispatched to a barn fire with possible cattle inside at 1211 Plains Rd in Leslie Township. An EMS standby crew from Lansing-Mason Ambulance Service was first to arrive a few minutes later reporting a barn fully involved. While still responding, Leslie command requested mutual aid for tankers and manpower from the Mason and Dansville fire departments. A short time later additional aid was requested for tankers and manpower from the Onondaga and Stockbridge fire departments as well. On arrival, firefighters were confronted with a large pole barn well involved in fire. The barn contained a large quantity of hay bales along with lumber and other miscellaneous equipment. As initial hoselines were being stretched, the roof on the east half of the structure collapsed. Initial attack was from the "B" side where access to the interior could be reached, but firefighters at this access point were also confronted with the additional hazard of being within the fenced area with several head of cattle. Command requested the response of an Animal Control officer to assist with the animals since no owner was immediately available. Firefighters gained access to the fire through doorways in the "A" and "C" sides as well, and additional lines were deployed. When the majority of the fire had been knocked down, command requested the assistance of a backhoe to help pull apart and remove the large piles of hay. The backhoe operator, under the protection of hoselines, eventually was able to enter the barn and remove the majority of the smoldering debris. A cow and a calf that were in the barn perished in the blaze. Firefighters battled the fire for over 4 hours before it was declared under control.