The Adel Fire Department responded to a fire last week that resulted in the total loss of a livestock barn and several animals perished.

According to Captain Matt Ireland, the Adel Fire Department responded to a structure fire around 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, February 22 in the 20000 block of 280th Street, west of Adel. He adds that two 911 calls came in from the property owner and a passerby.

Ireland tells Raccoon Valley Radio when they got on scene, a livestock barn was fully engulfed in flames. He details that firefighters had to face 24 mph winds from the northwest, which helped feed the fire, and they had to shuttle water to the scene from Adel. Ireland says they were able to protect the surrounding buildings on the property.

He adds that 17 animals inside the livestock barn died. The barn is considered a total loss. Ireland says the cause was determined to be a livestock heater.

Ireland notes that Dallas Center and Redfield Fire Departments responded for mutual aid.

“Dallas County is really fortunate to have a lot of agencies, we all work really well together. And mutual aid is absolutely paramount when we’re working a rural fire such as this, so we always appreciate the mutual aid.”

He adds that they also received assistance from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Emergency Medical Services and Dallas County Emergency Management.