Nowakowski Farms’ barn destroyed by fire

Nowakowski Farms in McCloud, Oklahoma, woke up to flames engulfing their barn at 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 13. For over 50 years, Nowakowski Farms has raised sweet corn and people travel from all over the region to purchase it. The barn that caught fire was built in 2011 and contained tractors, farm equipment and over 1,000 bales of hay.

The fire was so intense when firefighters reached the location that they elected allow the fire to continue burning while keeping it contained to the structure. The roof is expected to collapse and the building and everything in it will be a total loss. One of the Nowakowski family members said the barn had been expanded recently. No animals or people were injured or killed in the fire.

The fire will not impact the sweet corn harvest, but the family will have to replace equipment for the next season, such as a $100,000 combine that was in the building. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].