ANTHONY TOWNSHIP – Fire, possibly sparked by lightning, destroyed a century-old dairy barn in Lycoming County.
A family in Lycoming County woke up to bright red flames outside their window. The barn at the Waltz family's dairy farm near Jersey Shore was built before the turn of the last century.
The barn caught fire before 5 a.m. Monday. A few hours later, crews were still putting out flames.
The Waltz family snapped pictures in the early morning as a barn burned at their dairy farm.
"The house was glowing and we opened up the curtains and the top of the barn was on fire," said farm owner Brian Waltz. "It was terrible. I think my younger son took it the worst. It was hard for me to see him like that."
There are about 200 cows at Waltz dairy farm. The barn that burned housed hay and about 50 non-milking cows. All of the cows escaped.
"There was one last one that ran out when I came from the house. I don't know why she waited, but everyone made it out," Waltz said.
By mid-morning, firefighters were still hosing down hay and debris.
"With a fire this in depth and this much destruction, we may or may not find the exact cause," said Woodward Township Assistant Fire Chief Steve Reeser.
"There was a storm that went through this morning and being on the upper part of the barn or seeing that was on fire first, I'm guessing maybe lighting, possibly electrical," said Waltz.
The framing and foundation of the barn is about 100 years old. The family says shortly after the fire, neighbors came by with some heavy equipment to help clear out the debris.
"Just showed up to help him. He and I have been best friends forever," said Max Liddic.
Liddic also brought his trailer along with him to the farm.
"Came to help move cattle down to another neighbor. He's going to take care of them until the new barn is replaced."
"Good people, real good people. They'll move ahead."
The Waltz family recently bought Cohick's Trading Post in Salladasburg. They have insurance on the barn and plan to rebuild while also getting ready to open their new business.