Negligence is a precursor of disaster, and in the case of a rippling blaze that recently reduced a massive wooden barn to a pile of rubble, this tragedy had the all the hellish hallmarks of an eerily identical fire that could’ve easily been prevented.
Fire destroys wooden barn once again
Earlier this May, six Ohio fire departments fervently fought against an unrelenting blaze that had engulfed a well-known hog farm. While the firefighters were successful in eventually extinguishing the flames, the damage was irreversible: three workers sustained serious injuries and 180 pigs had met a torturous demise. More than 45,000 gallons of water was dispersed in vain as the farm’s owners left with a chilling reminder of what can happen when the warnings of fate go unheeded. What made this blaze especially tragic was that it could’ve been avoided had the owners learned from the perils of a previous burning.
Last June, a large fire destroyed two other buildings at the same farm. This time, the blaze took the lives of an astounding 5,000 hogs. Pause for a moment and consider those ramifications. Several thousands of hogs slowly asphyxiated because of cruel happenstance. For the second time in less than a full calendar year, a large number of livestock were killed in a barn fire at the exact same farm. Fire chief Josh Hobbs told a local reporter that the fire was “just as significant” as the on that had taken place last year. “This was a very large fire, so it’s going to be quite time consuming to get to the bottom of it.”
While the news report didn’t indicate if the two fires were somehow related, it is safe to assume that something is amiss with the style of structure chosen for this farm considering the rate of speed in which the flames so quickly destroyed the buildings. Although no structure is impenetrable to the whims of fate and Mother Nature, caution should be undertaken when considering your building needs.
Barn fires are unique in that when they do occur, these blazes typically consume the entire building due to the presence of highly flammable or combustible materials and the compounding effects of nearby accelerants. Hay and closely packed stalls create a tinderbox, primed to create tragedy with the spark of an errant match on a warm summer day. Electrical fires are common culprits in farm style fires. The National Fire Protection Association estimated that during the time from 2002-2005, more than 1,000 barn fires were reported to local fire departments.
The Elephant Barns advantage
Wooden barns are a part of Americana. We get that. But times are changing. Metal is now more readily available than it was in the past. As we previously mentioned, when a wooden barn catches fire, it almost always consumes the entire building. Our Elephant Barns are highly effective in protecting livestock and supplies from fires. Unlike wood, metal cannot burn, thus reducing the extent of the damage. Our Elephant Barns are as safe as they are economical. You can also choose from a variety of colors to add that personal bit of flair or aesthetic appeal to match the adjacent landscape. By purchasing an Elephant Barn, you would also be helping the environment by procuring recyclable material instead of combustible wood that robs the planet of beautiful foliage and leaves a scorched Earth when a fire strikes.
Our roofs feature standard horizontal panels from front to back and is the most economical choice in our lineup. Our A-Frame style roofs features horizontal panels which also run from front to back and a boxed-eave trim covering the interior eave-side of the truss for a truly finished look. Besides, apart from structural integrity, you also can’t beat the sound of rain on a metal roof.
Don’t risk the loss of property or life when you are considering your next barn. Rest assure with an Elephant Barn. If you haven’t found what you are looking for in our catalog, check out our customized barn builder to perfect that ideal equine setting.
Free Delivery and Installation with small deposit
When considering purchasing an Elephant Barn, don’t forget or overlook the industry advantage of free delivery and installation. All you need is a level surface for our qualified installers to finish the project. We deliver across the continental United States. Make sure you ask a building advisor if we can provide the same service in your neighborhood. Call (888) 230-3450 today.
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