STUYVESANT--Two draft horses were killed in a fast moving fire that destroyed three old barns at 4116 County Route 21, Tuesday, July 27.

The horses and the barns, which varied in size, belonged to Mike Scannell, who lives in a house about 100 to 150 feet away from the barns, according to Stuyvesant Fire Chief Steve Montie, who said he has been unable to find out if Mr. Scannell was home when the blaze broke out.

The fire was spotted and reported by the Schodack Landing fire chief, who was nearby. A neighbor reported hearing “a boom,” the chief said. The fire was dispatched by Columbia County 911 at 11:42 a.m.

All three barns were already in flames upon arrival, so firefighters focused on keeping the Scannell house and other buildings from becoming involved by hosing them down and keeping them cool, said Chief Montie. All three of the wooden barns, some with tin roofs, were located within a few feet of each other or were connected. Hay, modern and antique farm equipment and a tractor were lost in the blaze in addition to the horses. Some cows, which were not hurt, also live on the property, the chief said.

An excavator was brought in to move smoldering debris so firefighters could douse it with water trucked in from four sources within a three- to four-mile radius, said the fire chief.

Spontaneous combustion of the hay is being looked at as the possible cause, said the chief, who is using photographs and witness statements to try to piece together what happened.

Between 75 and 85 firefighters were on the fire scene. Nineteen departments were called to provide mutual aid to the scene or to stand by. No injuries were reported, said the chief, who praised the cooperation between Columbia and Rensselaer county companies.

In addition to Stuyvesant, other departments dispatched were from Niverville, Stuyvesant Falls, Tri-Village, Stockport, Kinderhook, Valatie, Chatham, Ghent, Stottville, West Ghent, Claverack, Greenport, Schodack Landing, Nassau, South Schodack, Castleton, Clinton Heights and East Greenbush. The Valatie Rescue Squad was also on the scene.

Units were clear at 7:25 p.m. and were called back to the scene during the night when the fire rekindled, Chief Montie said.

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