An early evening fire Sunday engulfed the 4-H horse barn at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Walton.
Favorable wind and a scramble by firefighters from Walton and Trout Creek fire departments prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings, some of which were just a few feet away, according to Walton fire officials.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Walton Police Department and the Delaware County Cause and Origin Team. The blaze was reported by a nearby resident, who dialed 911 at about 5:30 p.m.
The 4-H horse barn is owned by the Delaware Valley Agricultural Society, which is the governing board for the Delaware County Fair. The barn, which measured 50-feet-by-100-feet, was destroyed. It was used for decades to provide stalls for horse shows throughout the summer months, as well as during fair week, according to fire officials.
The fairgrounds were not in use Sunday, Walton First Assistant Chief Erwin LaTourette said.
"There were no horses in the barn," he said.
The fiery blaze was visible across the valley and throughout the village.
Firefighters used 2,000 feet of large-
diameter house attached to the nearest hydrant and a four-wheel-drive fire truck that set up a water supply from the Delaware River, according to a media release from the department.
Thirty-five Walton firefighters responded to the scene along with 16 firefighters from Trout Creek. Downsville Fire Department stood by at the Walton station, while Delhi firefighters manned their station in case they were needed, according to the release.
The Walton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the department's emergency squad were on the scene in support of the firefighting operations, officials said.
The Walton Fire Department was back in service at 9:15 p.m.
