Barn fires are a common occurrence to the Amish, since their barns are made of wood and they store hay and other combustible materials in the structures. They also store flammables in the structures, which is hazardous.

One barn fire occurred when an electric motor run by a small gas generator ignited the very hay that was loaded using the contraption. After 200 bales of hay were elevated into the barn using the device, some chaff on the motor ignited the hay. By the time the conflagration was discovered by the family, it was too late to save it from total destruction. However, the horses were rescued in the nick of time.

Another Amish barn fire happened after an English man had unloaded hay using an elevator to send it up to the loft. Undoubtedly, it was a faulty elevator that caused the fire.

A fire at a barn used as a loafing area for cows was likely caused by faulty electricity. Interestingly, some words written on the barn were spared while others were destroyed. The words spared were GOD and CHRIST, but MAN, SIN and FORGIVENESS were destroyed. God moves in mysterious ways.

Another Amish lost their barn to a welding accident, but fortunately they were able to save ten sows.

Of course some barn fires are caused by lightning. More lighting rods on the barn might prevent such a tragedy.

When a barn does burn down, the Amish get together and rebuild it quickly. They call it a frolic. That’s not my idea of frolic, but I’m not Amish.