A farm equipment barn owned by Irene and Royal Boulter on 114th Avenue in Martin Township was destroyed by fire Thursday night.
Martin Fire Fire and Rescue reported the barn was fully engulfed when they arrived and the amount of vehicles driving down the road caused traffic issues for all the trucks responding.
Six area fire departments battled the blaze in the hay barn. The Boulters lost their tractor shop the fire spread over to the hay barn.
“Baling and selling hay is their livelihood.,” neighbor said. “Even with insurance for equipment and buildings, some tough choices will need to made. ”
The local fire department posted on Facebook, “Last night our department was out all night fighting a large fire at an area farm. To make this more difficult the owner was one of our own, a retired member. We are thankful no life was lost.
“Thank you to the surrounding departments FD Wayland/Yankee Springs Twp FD Gun Plain Township Fire Department Otsego Fire Department Orangeville and Plainwell.
Erin May Rumery has started a Go Fund Me page for the Boulters.
Irene & Royal Boulter had their hay burn in the fire. They have horses to feed and sell hay help support the farm. Royal is not a young may and Irene is not much younger. Royal restored Oliver tractors and farmed with these antiques. Most of the tractors were lost in the fire as well as the tools and other machines used to make these tractors able to be used. Please remember them if you have extra tools or hay.