200 Chicks Killed in Fire at Barn on LCO Campus

Barn Destroyed at Community College Farm in Northern Wisconsin

A fire near Hayward, Wisconsin killed 200 baby chicks that were being incubated inside a barn.

The fire was reported around 8 a.m. Saturday morning at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College Farm on Froemel Road.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Fire Department and LCO Police Department responded to the scene.

Also on the scene were fire departments from the Town of Bass Lake, Stone Lake, Round Lake and the Town of Hayward.

The barn was a total loss.

All other animals were outside of the barn including horses, which are a part of the LCO equine therapy program and survived the fire unscathed.

Preliminary investigation reports from the fire chiefs of both the Town of Hayward and the LCO Fire Department indicate the cause to be old wiring and heat lamps.

At this time there is no evidence of foul play.

When asked, Lac Courte Oreilles Community College President Diane Vertin said, “This is such a sad loss, not just for our college, but for the whole community, as the farm has become the centerpiece for family gardening, environmental studies and equine therapy. I am grateful that there was no loss of human life and no fire fighters were hurt while trying to save the barn. I want the community to know that we will rebuild and will continue to serve their needs.”

Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Chairman Mic Isham echoed the sentiments of Dr. Vertin and expressed appreciation to the quick response of the various fire departments. “We’re grateful to all of the emergency responders and their efforts. They did everything they could have possibly done in this situation,” said Isham.

The LCO Community College is working with their insurance company, and hope to rebuild the barn as soon as possible.