According to Charlie McQuown, deputy chief, Reade Fire Co., he went past the barn at about 9:45 p.m. and nothing was showing, but about 45 minutes later it was fully engulfed. Mr. McQuown said he was on scene first and there were no chances of saving it even before firefighters arrived.

The barn was more than 150 years old and housed cattle and a donkey, all of which were able to escape the burning building.

Water was an issue, as there are no hydrants in the area, the closest being a mile away in Glasgow and another about three miles away in Utahville. Firefighters connected to those to shuttle water to the scene via tankers; however, while battling the blaze, it was noticed that both hydrants were from the Beccaria-Coalport-Irvona Municipal Authority and firefighters had drained the water tank.

Firefighters then had to switch to a hydrant of the Reade Township Municipal Authority in another portion of Glasgow and that carried them throughout the night.

Deputy McQuown said he was alerted to the fire prior to the dispatch being activated and he immediately called for a second alarm, tankers, as he knew the area was rural.

He estimated about 50,000 gallons of water was used, but said that is a low estimate.

Deputy McQuown said that Mr. Troxell was in the barn at about 2 p.m. yesterday. It was noted that there is electrical power to the barn, however, nothing was being used electronically.

Mr. Troxell only had about 35 or 40 round bales of hay in the barn and about 200 square bales, all of which were about a year old. Deputy McQuown said there were no new bales in the barn to cause concern for spontaneous combustion.

A state police fire marshal will be on scene today to try to pinpoint a cause.

There was a 3-year-old Case tractor in the barn along with several smaller items, all of which were destroyed.

A hay baler and other haymaking equipment that were recently taken outside in preparation for the baling season sustained fire damage.

Damage is estimated at about $150,000. Mr. Troxell did have a small amount of insurance on the building.

About 75 firefighters from three counties were on scene until just after 3 a.m.

They include, from Cambria County, Reade Fire Co. of Blandburg and Ashville Fire Co.; from Clearfield County, Madera, Glen Hope and Irvona fire companies and Glendale Fire Department of Coalport; and from Blair County, Excelsior Fire Co. of Bellwood and Pinecroft Fire Co.

Patton Fire Co. was on standby at Glendale, while Tipton was on standby at Reade's firehall.

Reade Area Ambulance Glendale Quick Response Service and Glendale and Madera fire police were also on scene. There were no reported injuries.