A barn fire is reported at 7557 Swamp Road in Bergen. The smoke is visible for miles around.
Bergen Fire Department is responding. A Le Roy ladder truck is called and an engine is to stand by at Bergen's headquarters. An engine from Churchville is called to assist. The city Fast Team is also requested and a pumper from the Town of Batavia.
The location is between Jericho and Pocock roads.
UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: A tanker is requested from both Byron and South Byron. They are to approach from the west. Pavilion is called to stand by in Le Roy's hall. Mercy medics are responding to the fire.
UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: The fire is under control and the firefighters are working to overhaul the structure. Pavilion's crew that was on standby in Le Roy's hall was moved to Sheard's Antiques & Guns on South Lake Road to standby for two districts -- Le Roy and Byron.
UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: The overhaul operations are expected to take quite some time. The ladies' auxiliary is called to provide refreshments.
UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: The owner told us that he believes the barn was built in 1919 and that it was the oldest barn on Swamp Road. It was completely destroyed by the fire.
UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: The owners are Howard and Sandra Lee Brew.
UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Howard Brew said he grew up on this property, which was his father's. One section of the barn was older than the rest of it, but he's not sure how much older. The Brews grow wheat, corn and oats and they raise geese and goats.
UPDATE 3:34 p.m. (by Howard): Departments are starting to go back in service. Firefighters are down to one charged line while other volunteers have started rolling up hoses.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: All units back in service.
Picture taken at 12:54 p.m. by Taylor Cecere.
