MONTICELLO — A fire on a rural Monticello farm destroyed a milk house and caused an estimated $10,000 in damage to the attached barn and its contents, according to Monticello Fire Chief Kevin Komprood.

The fire was reported at the farm of Tom McGuire, N7446 Wettach Rd., at about 2:45 p.m. Sunday, April 21.

“We believe it started in the ditch line from burning grass, which then spread to some hay and eventually to the milk house,” Komprood said.

The burning grass in the ditch line wasn’t from a controlled burn, nor was it a fire anyone had set. The ditch line is close to the road, so it’s possible the fire there started from a lit cigarette tossed from a passing vehicle, Komprood said.

“We’re still investigating it,” he said.

The two owners of the barn were treated on scene by New Glarus EMS for smoke inhalation. Firefighters were able to save goats from the structures, but some chickens and a turkey were lost in the fire. 

The milk house was being used for storage and for keeping animals, not for milking cows.

Firefighters were on scene until about 5:30 p.m., with assistance from fire departments from Juda, Albany, Belleville and Brooklyn. The Monroe Fire Department stood by at the Monticello station with an engine.