GRANBY, Mass. (WWLP) – After a fire destroyed the barn and farm store at Red Fire Farm in Granby on Saturday, efforts are being made to help the rebuilding process.
At around 12:50 p.m. on Saturday, multiple 911 calls were received for a reported barn fire at Red Fire Farm on Carver Street. Tanker trucks from different communities were called in to help shuttle water as a fourth alarm was requested due to the volume of fire. Now just a day later with the dust settled, the full effects of this devastating fire are being felt.
“Pretty sad to see it go. I mean, I couldn’t believe how big the damage was… I mean it’s insane that it’s just gone completely,” expressed Nick Beskrowni from Granby.
The fire was under control after several hours, but that barn was home to Red Fire Farm’s share members’ CSA pickups since the beginning, their Pick Your Own, their year-round farm store, lots of equipment, and big farm parties, tastings, and events for the community, according to the GoFundMe page. Several fire departments were able to save, however, their farmhouse, storage barns, and greenhouses from the fire.
The farm will continue to sell produce at winter farmers’ markets and will figure out a way to continue winter, spring, and summer CSA distributions in Granby using one of the surviving greenhouses or other outbuildings.
Local residents and customers had been driving up and down Carver Street all day Sunday to see the extent of the damage to a Granby landmark.
“It’s absolutely devastating, they’re a huge part of the community. They bring organic vegetables that are absolutely delicious and to see it the way it is right now, I mean I’m ready to cry,” expressed Ondine Grham, who used to live in a home owned by the Red Fire Farm.
Efforts are already being made to help the rebuilding process. A GoFundMe has been created with the goal of raising $200,000 for the rebuilding efforts. As of Sunday evening, a little over $28,000 has been raised by around 350 people.
The barn was a piece of Granby’s agricultural history and was built at the end of the chestnut era with amazing beams. The farm store in Granby will be unable to open for the rest of the winter, but crews are aiming to build a home for their CSA farm share pickups, store, farm supplies, and tractors in time for the spring.
“It’s been a devastating loss. But the kindness and outreach from everyone is helping us so much,” said owners of the farm Ryan and Sarah Voiland and all the crew on the page.
Heath Kalb is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Heath on X @HeathKalb and view his bio to see more of his work.
Emma McCorkindale
Source link
