Afternoon Fire Destroys Barn

On July 30, 1940 at 3:30 p.m. firemen were sent to the Clarence Strohm farm just south of Lees Cross Roads for a barn fire. Lightning struck the barn during an afternoon storm causing it’s complete destruction and the loss of 700 bushels of wheat, 300 bushels of barley, alfalfa, clover, a wagon full of hay and about a quarter of the farms equipment. Firemen worked to save the exposures but a shortage of water in the farms cistern kept them from saving a hog shed and machine shed. Flames were so intense that that firemen operating a steam 50 feet away needed another steam played on their backs to keep them cool. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm and remained on the scene until after 7 p.m.