HARVARD, ILLINOIS — A devastating barn fire in the northwest suburban community of Harvard claimed the lives of six horses overnight.
Fire Erupts Just Before Midnight In Rural Harvard
The incident occurred in the 19100 block of Crowley Road, in unincorporated Harvard, just before midnight Monday. A pole barn had caught fire with animals inside, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Firefighters from the Harvard Fire Protection District were the first on scene, but limited water access in the rural area complicated efforts. The blaze was quickly upgraded to a second-alarm fire.
“The lack of hydrants meant we had to call in water tenders and set up portable tanks,” fire officials told CBS Chicago.
Six Horses Perish, Barn Deemed Total Loss
Despite firefighting crews’ efforts, six horses trapped inside the barn died. No other injuries were reported.
The barn, heavily damaged by flames, has been declared a total loss by local officials. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Harvard Fire Protection District.
Challenges In Rural Firefighting Response
Rural fires like this highlight the logistical hurdles faced by departments with limited infrastructure, including long response times and lack of access to hydrants. In this case, neighboring departments were instrumental in providing resources such as portable water tanks and support teams.
Were you in the Harvard area last night or know the barn’s owners? Share your thoughts or any information that could aid the investigation by commenting on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
