Neighbors help remove snow before firefighters can reach burning Sacred Heart farmhouse Monday

It took neighbors helping to move snow out of the way, but firefighters were unable to save a burning farmhouse near Sacred Heart Monday.

On Jan. 30, at 3:42 p.m, the Sacred Heart Fire  Department was dispatched to a report of smoke coming from an attic on the 84000 block of  County Road 10, about four miles northwest of Sacred Heart. 

Firefighters saw flames coming through the roof of a two-story house, and quickly determined the occupants had been able to safely exit, and nobody was left inside. Because of the amount of snow in the farm yard, fire crews were at first able to bring only a limited amount of equipment on the yard. Neighboring farmers helped to move snow in the driveway and yard to allow more fire trucks and water tankers into the  yard. Sub-zero temperatures hindered the firefighters’ efforts, and in the end the home was a total loss. 

Fire officials estimate between 30,000 and 40,000 gallons of water were needed to  extinguish the fire. No firefighters were injured fighting the fire. However, because of the cold temperatures, some firefighting equipment was damaged. 

The Sacred Heart Fire Department was assisted by the Granite Falls Fire Department, Maynard  Fire Department, Sacred Heart MRU, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota  State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Fire Chief Jeff  Agre said, “The cold temperatures made things miserable, but firefighters from three different fire  departments, EMS and law enforcement all worked together to battle this fire.” 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.