Community rebuilds barn after devastating inferno
HONEY BROOK TOWNSHIP >> From tragedy comes community. That was the message last week after a fire destroyed an Amish dairy barn on the 1800 block of Beaver Dam Road early Wednesday morning. Less than 24 hours after that devastating event neighbors, both Amish and English had joined together begin rebuilding the structure.
Over 30 units from Honey Brook Fire Company and numerous mutual aid companies departments in Chester and Lancaster counties battled the fire through the morning. There were no injuries and all the milking cows and farm animals escaped the blaze.
“They are just a lovely family,” said Helen Hertzler, who has lived across from the farm her entire life. “The livestock was saved, including 55 milking cows.”
Asked about the rebuilding process, Hertzler said, “That’s their belief, and ours. God wants us to pitch in and help each other. They would do the same for me and that’s what the lord says.”
Hertzler said on Thursday 150 people working on the rebuilding had been fed and Friday evening 300 meals were being served. The extended family, who declined comment live in two homes on the farm.
A family relation said they had not asked for help, “it just happens.”
Friday morning the farm was a bee hive of activity with buggies lined up along the drive side by side with pick up trucks. Men were putting the finishing touches on the roof while others were on lift trucks repairing the three silos that survived the blaze.
One Amish gentleman who came from Paradise said, its just what you do. “You just got to pick your way through it and find your way in.”
Lester Stolzfus of Honey Brook was on the scene repairing one of his company’s skid loaders that was being used. He said by next week the barn would be finished and ready to go. He noted the families rely on the church and a form of insurance to pay for materials.
“With the Amish supplying the manpower it is feasible,” Stollzfus said.
One person watching was a fellow dairy farmer from Cortland, N.Y. He declined to give his name but said he had planned on visiting the family this week, when he heard of the fire he came to help.
“I was surprised to see they had it under control, “I’d just get in the way. It’s pretty amazing to see this.”
“The firefighters did such a wonderful job,” said one Amish gentleman. “They saved all the animals, I saw them bring the last animal out alive, they placed a rope on him and brought him out.”
Asked the report of two of the milking cows later passing away he said. “Let’s focus on the positive. We are rebuilding and with help from more than just the Amish. Everybody is doing what they can.”
With that he gave Gary Weiss, a neighbor who had given him a ride into town for supplies, a “thank you” and headed off to the next task.
“I was amazed when I came over the hill, this is what just two days looks like,” said Gary Weiss. “The Amish have helped me out and I’m returning the favor. I’m doing what I can, shoveling debris, driving to get supplies anything. This is what teamwork and community is all about when you have people who care.”
“We thank God,” said another Amish gentleman. “For whatever reason God let it happen, it reminds us of the importance of helping each other.”