Christmas Day Barn Fire Causes Damage, Claims Dog

A Christmas Day fire at a barn on Bright Hill Road caused some damage to the structure and contents and claimed the life of a young dog.
DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green told WJLE that the department was notified of the barn fire at 2211 Bright Hill Road on the property of W.J. Poss at 10:19 a.m.
According to Chief Green, a passerby reportedly saw smoke coming from the metal siding barn and called a member of the Poss family. A family member then reported the fire to DeKalb 911 Dispatch.
“We had just returned home from church when a neighbor passing by the barn adjacent to dad’s called our house to inform us that the barn was on fire. While waiting on the fire department my two sons and I drove to the barn with anticipation to save the dogs and what we could. As we arrived smoke was present from each end of the barn. I opened the walk entrance door and immediately was met with heavy smoke and extreme heat. I tried numerous times to reach the point to open the roll up door in an effort and hopes to remove as much as possible. I was unsuccessful due to the intensity of both smoke and heat,” said James L. (Jimmy) Poss.
Upon arrival, firefighters learned that family members had tried to make entry to rescue two dogs inside the barn. However, the fire, smoke, and heat were too intense for them to enter. Firefighters were able to make entry. They extinguished the fire, ventilated the smoke from the barn and successfully rescued one of the dogs. The other dog was found dead.
Also removed from the barn were two tractors, a boat , and other farm implements which all had minor exterior damage. Other miscellaneous tools and materials inside the barn received significant heat and smoke damage.
Chief Green said the fire apparently started from a heat lamp that had accidentally fallen into the kennel where cedar shavings were being used for bedding. The shavings ignited and the fire spread to other parts of the barn.
Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Short Mountain Highway Station, Midway Station, Tanker Truck, and Main Station responded to the call, along with DeKalb County EMS and the Sheriff’s Department.
“I want to send a very sincere thank you to all the County Firemen who left their families on Christmas day to assist our family with the barn fire,” said Poss.