A barn was damaged at the Washington State University Knott Dairy Farm when a feed truck caught fire inside the building Saturday morning. No cows or people were hurt in the blaze. Whitman County Fire District 12 Chief Lester Erwin said the cattle were released from the barn to protect them from injury.
Erwin said the fire likely began when an employee tried to start the truck, causing the starter to issue sparks beneath the vehicle and ignite hay on the ground below. Catching fire inside the facility’s freestall barn, farm employees quickly released the animals from the barn allowing them to escape the flames. Fortunately, no animals, students or employees were harmed.
While there was some minor damage to the barn, including melted lighting and electrical components, officials said WSU will still be able to use the structure to house cattle and feed.
