Sutherland, Iowa — A milkhouse-turned-mancave and all its contents were destroyed in a fire near Sutherland on Monday, January 8, 2024.
According to Sutherland Fire Chief Mark Shriver, at about 3:25 a.m., the Sutherland Fire Department was called to the report of a milkhouse fire at 4535 Yulon Avenue, four and a half miles east of the north side of Sutherland.
The chief says the fire department saw the building totally engulfed in flame as they approached the scene. He says they were able to contain the fire to only that building. A cattle shed was only three or four feet away, and there was a 200-gallon propane tank against the wall, but they were able to keep those things cool and prevent the fire from spreading.
Shriver says no injuries were reported.
He says the Peterson Fire Department was paged for mutual aid, and they helped out a lot with both manpower and trucks.
He says the cause of the fire appeared to be electrical in nature but is officially undetermined.
Chief Shriver reports that the building was destroyed except for its concrete block base, which went up to the 8-foot level. Also destroyed in the blaze were a compact tractor and a four-wheeler, hunting supplies, and freezers full of meat. A gun safe with guns inside was also in the blaze, but they hadn’t opened the safe yet to see if the guns were okay inside.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene until 5:30 a.m. — about two hours.
