Seven structures torched in Kent fire

Seven structures total including two large barns and a corn crib burned to the ground Monday evening at a farm house about 1 mile southeast of Kent.

Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson said a neighbor first reported the fire at about 6:38 p.m. after seeing flames from one of the barns. Jackson said occupant Galen White was not home at the time of the fire.

Seven fire departments, including Creston, Orient, Afton, Clearfield, Lenox, Corning and Prescott, about 20 firetrucks and more than 60 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze for almost three hours Monday.

“Because of the distance from Creston and the time of the call, the buildings were well involved or on the ground by the time we got there,” Jackson said. “The buildings were close together, which made it difficult and we were also battling downed power lines, gates, fences, rough terrain and of course the heat.”

No damage was reported to the residence at 2511 Clover Ave., Lenox. The fire was contained at about 9:30 p.m.

In total, the fire destroyed about four acres on the property. Jackson said a tractor and hay baler were lost in the fire among other equipment.

At this time, the cause of the fire and a damage estimate were unavailable.