New Year’s Eve fire destroys Hope barn

A New Year’s Eve fire destroyed a barn in Hope but no one was injured.

According to Hope Fire Department, firefighters were called to the 11000 block of East County Road 500N at just before 6 p.m. Sunday night on a report of a structure fire. Firefighters found a barn and shop in the area of Schaefer Lake fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters from several departments were able to put the fire out including help from Hartsville, Clifford, Flat Rock, Burney, and Clay Township volunteers. Hope firefighters say that an excavator from Robertson’s Paving was called in to remove large amounts of debris so fire crews could put out remaining hot spots.

Also assisting at the scene were the Hope Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff, Columbus Regional Hospital medics and Bartholomew County Highway Department.

According to the sheriff’s department, the road was closed for about an hour while firefighters worked at the scene.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.