Fire has destroyed a large L-shaped barn in rural Belle Rive.
The owner George Pilson was in the barn at 17,736 East Saddle Club Road when he heard a loud bang and saw the back of the barn on fire. He was able to get out safely and Jefferson Fire officials do not believe any animals were hurt. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Jefferson Fire called Mt. Vernon City, Bluford, McLeansboro, Kell, Wayne City, Waltonville, Benton, and Ewing Firemen to the scene for mutual aid while Salem and Centralia Fire District firemen stood by at the Jefferson Fire Station in the event of another fire.
The fire call first came in at 5:10 Thursday night with firemen on the scene for just over three hours.
