By Magen McCrarey
Staff Writer
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
Owner Stanley Baker stood on the sidewalk and watched as his 1950s barn burned Tuesday night around 9 p.m. The barn was located on Meyers Baker Road in London, near Powerhouse Gym. Kentucky State Police Detective Brian Lewis believed the cause of the fire to be arson.
The London Fire Department, London-Laurel Rescue Squad and London Police Department arrived on the scene within minutes as the barn caught fire. London Fire Chief Larry VanHook said, when firefighters arrived, a bicycle was found in the tall grass that did not belong to the property owners, and all four of the barn’s doors were locked by chains.
When the chains were removed from the barn doors and firefighters entered the building, several small fires were discovered in haystacks, two tractors and a vehicle. A window was broken out of the vehicle, and hay was thrown inside to catch the vehicle on fire.
“We pulled two tractors and a car out and got it extinguished,” VanHook said.
Baker was pleased to know the fire didn’t damage his antique 1950s tractor resting directly outside of the barn. Baker one day hopes to restore the collector’s piece and he was relieved it was unscathed.
The barn is able to be restored as well and is still in good standing condition.
“If it wasn’t for the fire department, it wouldn’t be here,” Baker said.
“There was not a lot of damage,” VanHook said.
KSP Detective Lewis is continuing the investigation. Assisting at the scene were London Police Officers Justin Hopkins and Jacob Bormann.
mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com
