Disaster, again: Minnesota barn fire that killed about 1,000 goats, litter of puppies echoes 2020 blaze

barn picture two from 2020.jpg — Goats roam a rebuilt barn on the Stephen and Brittany Springer farm near Henning, Minn., in August 2021. The barn was rebuilt after a Christmas Eve fire in 2020 caused the death of about 1,000 goats and other animals.

By David Olson

May 13, 2022 at 5:05 PM

HENNING, Minn. 鈥� A barn fire near Henning that occurred Friday morning, May 13, that killed hundreds of goats and a litter of puppies was an echo of a Christmas 2020 fire at the same rural Henning farm.

According to a report released by the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office on Friday:

A fire was reported about 10 a.m. at a farm near Henning. The caller said a large barn was on fire with livestock inside.

Firefighters from Henning, Deer Creek, Ottertail, Vining and Wadena responded to the fire.

The barn was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

An owner of the barn told authorities there were about 1,000 goats and a litter of puppies inside the barn that did not survive.

It is believed the fire began in bales of straw used for bedding, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said it is investigating the cause of the fire with the assistance of the state Fire Marshal's Office.

A fire at the same farm on Christmas Eve 2020 caused the deaths of about 1,000 milking goats, 15 peacocks and a dog, according to a story

The Pioneer Journal story stated that the Springer family hosted a brunch on their farm Aug. 14 to thank the community for helping them rebuild the farm following the Christmas Eve blaze.

springer barn from 2021.jpg — In the rebuilt barn, co-owner of Cornerstone Farm Brittany Springer talks with Wadena farmer Greg Malone about the new goat barn on Aug. 14, 2021. The family lost their barn, milk parlor, tractors, straw, 1,000 milking goats, 15 peacocks and a dog in a Christmas Eve fire.

The story quoted a note the Springer family issued as a thank you to the community, which read:

鈥淲e want to extend a HUGE thank you to ALL of our friends and family that have helped us with any aspect of this tragedy. Some of you helped physically, emotionally and/or financially. For this, we will be forever grateful.

鈥淵our thoughts, well wishes, gifts and especially prayers have helped us through these last 8 months of trials, heartaches and challenges," the note added.

According to the Pioneer Journal story, Stephen and Brittany Springer family started their sustainable farm in 2017 and essentially rebuilt several farm buildings after the 2020 fire.

The family sells produce, beef and pork and have community supported agriculture shares for a produce program and farmer鈥檚 markets once a week in Battle Lake, the Pioneer Journal story said.

Efforts to reach the Springer family Friday were not successful.

By David Olson

Dave Olson is a reporter, photographer and occasional videographer. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a degree in mass communications, and during his time at The Forum he has covered many beats, from cops and courts to business and education. Currently is writing business stories, but jumps on daily news as needed. He鈥檚 also written about UFOs, ghosts, dinosaur bones and the dwarf planet Pluto. You may reach Dave at 701-241-5555, or by email at dolson@forumcomm.com.