4 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

Early Saturday morning, a massive two-alarm fire ripped through a barn in Washington County, causing significant damage to the property and endangering the lives of the animals inside. The Cornelius Fire Department responded to the emergency call just before 7 a.m. on Southwest Cook Street and Southwest 331st Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a 75-foot by 150-foot barn that was fully engulfed in flames, with large bales of hay fueling the fire.

We took this video from KPTV FOX 12 Oregon YouTube Channel.

Due to the size and intensity of the blaze, the Cornelius Fire Department called for backup from the Hillsboro Fire Department and Tualatin Valley Fire Rescue. Firefighters worked diligently to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other nearby barns. After several hours of battling the flames, firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control, but they reported that the large bales of straw would continue to burn for several more hours.

Although the roof of the barn had caved in, firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading to other structures on the property. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as a result of the fire. However, the barn, which was located on a small family farm, sustained significant damage.

The owner of the farm opened the gates to allow the cows to escape the flames, but it is unclear whether any other animals were inside the barn at the time of the fire. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, and the damage to the barn and the surrounding property is expected to be extensive.

This tragic incident highlights the importance of following proper safety protocols and guidelines when working with flammable materials. It also serves as a reminder of the bravery and dedication of our firefighters, who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these first responders for their heroic efforts in containing this dangerous fire.