Fire causes $1 million in damage
Precinct 4 barn burns down
By JIMMY GALVAN

An estimated $1 million dollars in damage is expected to be the end result of a fire that destroyed the Jasper County Precinct 4 barn Monday evening, according to Jasper County Judge Mark Allen

According to Billy Ted Smith, Jasper County Emergency Management Coordinator, the fire started at 6:15 p.m. with units responding from Buna, Evadale, Kirbyville, Jasper, Trout Creek and Call Junction.

"The building is a total loss," Smith said.

"Only 29 days," said Precinct 4 commissioner Vance Moss, referring to the fact he has only been in office a short time and now is faced with replacing the barn and equipment.

Moss said they lost two dump trucks, a one-ton pick-up, a Kubota tractor and a brand new backhoe.

The barn also housed other tools, equipment and supplies according to Smith.

Allen said the building was originally built in 1902 and was part of the old saw mill in the Buna community.

Smith said the county moved into the building in 1953 but the structure is more than 100 years old.

"We were kind of proud of that building," Allen said. "Quite a few commissioners and men had worked out of that barn over the years."

"It's a big loss for the county," Smith said. "Coming on the heels of Hurricane Rita, this is devastating for this precinct."

Smith said there is no cause for the fire at this time and added that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will investigate the fire.

When the fire was reported, residents said explosions were coming from the barn. Smith said the barn contained highly flammable and explosive oxygen and acetylene containers.

Moss and Allen were en route to Austin for meetings when they received the call and returned to Buna.

"We had received the phone call 30 minutes after we had arrived in Austin," Allen said. "We figured we would get onthe job training."

Moss reported Tuesday that the other commissioners have already pulled together and promised to assist with whatever Precinct 4 may need in the interim until the barn and equipment can be replaced.

"It's a bad part of the year for us to be down," Allen said. "But we will do whatever it takes to continue service to the community. Jasper County has been known for handling adversity and we will ride this out."