Fire engulfs barn, destroys motorcycle collection inside

The Amherst Fire Department is trying to determine what caused a fire June 3 that engulfed an entire barn.

Firefighters responded to 45510 Old Middle Ridge Road at 7:47 p.m. for a garage fire that completely destroyed the barn and all of its contents, according to Amherst fire Chief Jim Wilhelm.

No one was in the barn at the time of the blaze and no injuries occurred as a result, Wilhelm said.

“We are still looking into it, as we would any fire,” he said. “But this one is tough because everything is gone.

“We don’t think anyone was near the fire when it started, so it is tough to tell.”

The contents of the garage included motorcycles, motorcycle parts and cars, according to Wilhelm.

“There was roughly 30 motorcycles inside and the total damage is roughly $80,000,” he said. “That’s about $60,000 for the barn itself, and $20,000 for the contents.”

Firefighters left the scene at 11:14 p.m., but had to return at 3:19 a.m., June 4, due to a rekindle, Wilhelm said.

“The rekindle occurred in the basement of the barn,” he said.

“It was an area we couldn’t get to before, but we were able to extinguish and clear the scene at 5:47 a.m.”

Amherst received mutual aid from Elyria Township, Vermillion and South Amherst fire departments.