Burlington barn fire kills several animals

BURLINGTON, Ky. - Several animals are dead after a fire at a Burlington barn Friday morning.

A fire started at a two-story barn in the 4900 block of Burlington Pike at about 3 a.m.

Officials say at least five or six cattle died and several pigs and piglets either died or were not accounted for after the fire. It is still not clear how many animals escaped.

Fire crews said the family that owns the barn was the scene working to corral some of the animals that escaped. The family that lives on the property has cattle, pigs, corn, tobacco and they also do excavation work. The property used to be the largest Chrysler parts supplier in North America, according to officials.

A pickup truck on the property also caught fire, firefighters said.

Fire crews from Burlington, Bellevue and Petersburg were working to fight some of the remaining flames. Authorities' efforts were complicated because of the morning's cold temperatures.

Burlington fire officials said the bar was the first structure built on the property in the 1890s. The homeowner, Jim Walton, said he is very upset that he lost several animals as well as a barn that’s been in the family for more than 120 years.

Crews said one firefighter at the scene suffered a medical problem but was OK.

The cause of the fire has not been determined but investigators said electricity was connected to the bar.

Stay with 9 On Your Side and WCPO.com for updates as they become available.

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9 On Your Side Reporter Kendall Herold contributed to this report.