Barn Fire: Family of Ten Trying to Rebuild

On November 30, 2023, my sister, brother-in-law, and their family of eight children lost their barn to a fire. Their puppies escaped, but everything else - chickens, ducks, turkeys, supplies, equipment, machinery, and even all the kids' bicycles - was lost.

My name is Nancy, and at the request of friends and family who have asked how they can help my sister's family, I've started this GoFundMe page.

Early on the morning of November 30th, my brother-in-law was startled by pounding on the door.

"Steve, your barn's on fire!"

By the time he and my sister were able to scramble outside, one pick-up truck parked beside the barn was already engulfed in flames. It was another twenty minutes before the firemen arrived, but by then there was nothing that could be done but contain the flames and keep them from spreading to the other buildings and their house. The barn and everything in it was a complete loss.

Shocked, devastated, and fearing the worst, the kids searched the surrounding land, and thankfully found their mama dog and her nine puppies. Some comfort, at least. But as they searched through the rubble, they learned that the rest of the livestock had not been so lucky. (Except the one ornery rooster who had always been an escape artist - he is now missing some toes and his hens, but is alive.)

Ashley and Steve have worked hard over the past sixteen years to create a home for their family with resources that can help sustain them. The fowl was a large part of that, as was the rest of what was lost in the barn - tillers, mowers, steel and lumber for building projects, tools, etc. Every day they remember more of what was lost when they need something and realize it was in the barn.

The historic log barn, pictured above, was original to their farm. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the barn because of its age (late 1800's), or anything that is considered a "farming" item, including livestock.

Their first priority is to rebuild a building that will accommodate their family's needs, because until that happens, they have nowhere to keep the livestock that sustains them, or any other items they hope to replace.

The cost of rebuilding is at least $30,000.00, depending on market fluctuations.

Replacement value of what was stored in the barn is currently estimated at $60,000.00.

Our GoFundMe goal is set at $25,000. We hope this funding will help make rebuilding a barn and replacing their flocks and necessary equipment attainable.

Ashley and Steve would like to say a special thank you to all the friends, families, and strangers who have reached out with prayer, condolences, and support since the barn burned. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the love you've shown.

Thank you, and let's build a barn!