By Brandi Makuski

A barn in the Town of Stockton on March 7 has been declared a total loss following an early evening fire.

Six local fire departments responded to the blaze, near Kennedy Ave. and Black Oak Dr. in Stockton–the Village of Plover officially begins on the other side of the street–at about 6:25 PM on Tuesday.

According to Amherst Fire Chief Victor Voss, who was the first commander to arrive on the scene, the barn was fully engulfed when crews arrived.

“There was a pretty substantial barn here before the fire, but when we got here, it was un-savable,” Voss said.

The fire likely started in the basement and spread to hay being stored inside the barn. Due to high winds Tuesday night, the fire had spread to another, smaller barn on the property.

“So we put about 90 percent of our efforts into saving that structure because the actual main barn was a total loss,” Voss said, adding the smaller structure was saved.

There were no injuries, and no animals in the barn at the time of the fire.

Voss said 52 firefighters responded to the scene that night.

Plover Fire Chief Mark Deaver said crews were on the scene until about 9:30 PM, but Stockton FD returned Wednesday morning to address some smoldering.

“Let me tell you, firefighting is definitely hampered by the wind,” Deaver said. “They’re very lucky they didn’t lose extra structures.”

Fire departments from Stevens Point, Plover, Stockton, Amherst, Rosholt and Park Ridge all responded. Plover police and Wis. State Patrol also assisted.