Investigators are still looking for a cause after Monticello Fire battled a four-alarm barn fire at around 5:40 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, braving New Year’s Eve morning temperatures that hovered in the teens below zero as they scrambled to save residential structures and make sure no one was injured in the blaze.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office: The Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to a barn fire in the 1800 block of 85th ST NE in Monticello Township on Sunday, December 31st around 5:50 a.m. The homeowners – owners of Bit Of Heaven Stables – awoke shortly after 5:40 a.m. to the sound of loud popping noises coming from their barn. They looked outside to see that the barn was on fire. The Monticello Fire Department, with assistance from several neighboring fire departments, attempted to extinguish the fire but the barn was a total loss. Five horses, two dogs, and approximately 30 cats died in the fire.
Monticello Fire leaders said surrounding fire departments Big Lake Fire Department, Buffalo MN Fire Department, Maple Lake Fire Department, Albertville Fire Department (Albertville, Minnesota), Clearwater Fire & Rescue, MN and rehab Trailers from Elk River Fire Department and Delano Fire Department assisted in battling the fire and squashing hot spots with foam and water.
According to FOX 9 News, local barns in Wright County and Sherburne County have stepped up to help house remaining horses, and the community also set up a Pay Pal account for the owners as they work to restore the facility. Donations information also can be attained via e-mail to Repribyl@yahoo.com
