Fire Claims Barn During Heavy Rain, Flood Conditions

Pictured are Rocky Hill and Park City firefighters as they try to contain a barn fire in the pouring rain.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
In an ironic twist today, firefighters didn't have enough water to put out a raging barn fire on Ray Houchin Road in the midst of heavy rainfall and flooding conditions. 

The barn, owned by Ray "Doc" Houchin, was full of what was estimated to be 20 year-old hay, according to a caretaker of the farm. Firefighters said the cause of the fire was unknown, but was likely to be some sort of wiring issue as the barn had electric service.

Emergency workers fought the fire in ankle-deep water around one area of the barn but the burning hay supplied too much fuel for firefighters to contain.

Firefighters said that with as much water that had surrounded the barn from rain and even more expected, they made the choice to let the barn burn itself out after a very wet effort.

Responding to the scene were the Rocky Hill, Park City, Brownsville, and Chalybeate Fire Departments. No injuries were reported.