January 18, 2024 – Campbellsport, WI –On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at approximately 3:14 p.m. the Fond du Lac County Communications Center received a 911 call from a passing snowmobiler, reporting a barn was on fire at W4027 Swallow Lane in the Township of Ashford.
Deputies from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the property along with The Campbellsport Fire Department and Eden Fire Department.
The Communications Center relayed information that a Skid Steer located inside the barn was on fire. When emergency personnel arrived on scene the barn was fully engulfed.
Due to the size and severity of the fire, several area Fire Departments responded including Allenton Fire Department, Beechwood Volunteer Fire Department, Boltonville Fire Department, Brownsville Fire Company, Cascade Fire Department, Kewaskum Fire Department, Knowles Fire Department, Kohlsville Fire Department, Lomira Fire Department, Mt Calvary Fire Department, Oakfield Fire Department & EMS, RIT 3, RIT 4, Silver Creek Fire, St Cloud Fire and Rescue, Theresa Fire Department and Town of Fond du Lac Fire/EMS Department.
The property owner, Karl Gudex, advised deputies that the 184’x 36’ barn and nearby 20’x 50’ building is a total loss. Located inside the barn was the mentioned skid steer, two hay wagons, farm tractor, ATV, riding lawn mower, bale chopper and 2 gravity boxes.
In the lower level of the barn were 72 cattle. Prior to the barn going up, the passing snowmobilers assisted Gudex in removing the cattle from the barn. All cattle are accounted for.
An officer with the Campbellsport Police Department assisted on scene with traffic control.
The Town of Ashford assisted in spreading sand on the roadway for fire personnel. The snowmobilers also assisted in transporting fire personnel from the roadway, to the scene.
There were no reports of civilian or emergency personnel injured during the course of the fire. Cause of fire is believed to be a faulty block heater located on the skid steer. At this time, the fire is not suspicious in nature.
Below is a story posted earlier this afternoon when the fire broke out.
Sergeant Matthew Riemenschneider #154
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office
January 18, 2024 – Campbellsport, WI – The Campbellsport Fire Department is requesting assistance from Kewaskum, Allenton, Boltonville, and Kohlsville for a fire at a farm on Swallow Lane just off Drumlin Drive.
UPDATE: Other departments on scene include Theresa, Lomira and Brownsville. Mutual aid is reportedly coming from Washington and Sheboygan Counties.
The initial call came in after 4:30 p.m. A third level was quickly requested.
Tenders have to haul water to the scene so motorists are advised to please move over.
Motorists should also watch for County Highway salt trucks which are trying to lay down a layer of salt as the weather conditions are making for a challenging situation.
UPDATE: According to a post on KFIZ this is a large barn fire that is being hindered by weather conditions.
This is a working story and more information will be posted when details are available.
