Pocono News Section

Mennonite Family's Livelihood in Jeopardy

Mennonite Family's Livelihood in Jeopardy - Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:21PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday, Dec 11, 2009 @ 05:21pm EST
Rush Township, Northumberland County-

An early morning blaze has left a local Mennonite family’s livelihood in jeopardy. Dozens of cattle perished in the barn fire in Rush Township, between Riverside and Elysburg.

Little is left of the barn on Scisly Road that used to house the Keener family’s cattle herd. Fifty to sixty cows perished in the flames- only about 20 could be rescued.

Smoke billowing from the ashes could be seen for miles around, carried by a frigid, whipping wind.

It happened just hours after new life sprung from this exact place.

South Side Fire Company Deputy Chief Brian Anderson noted, “They had two calves born last night. They had some heating lamps helping to keep the animals warm and the fire started in that vicinity.”

Multiple fire companies responded to battle the blaze, as well as dozens of the Keener’s neighbors.

Anderson added, “They’re part of the Mennonite community and so their entire community will help out as best they can.”

With the barn a total loss, firefighters concentrated on saving the milk parlor and silos.

They say a combination of factors made this fire very tough to control.

Anderson explained, “The temperature is in the low 20’s. Water is freezing on the ground. Men are slipping and falling. And our water supply is about three miles away at the Cherokee Golf Course, so it makes firefighting very difficult.”

Fortunately no one was seriously hurt. No damage estimate was immediately available.

The owner of the farm says he’ll focus on his poultry egg business while he decides whether or not to rebuild the barn lost in the fire.