Update:
New Germany Fire Department Deputy Chief Jeff Flemming says when firefighters arrived to scene shortly after 6:30 p.m. the back of the house was fully engulfed in flames, and due to the heavy wind, they decided to adopt a defensive strategy.
“It was blowing so hard up there the house was gone in less than an hour,” Flemming said. “We went defensive, we were able to save two garages and the barn which had livestock and oxen in it, but we did lose the woodshed and one garage,”.
Flemming says the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical issue in the house which was over 100 years old.
The Big Ex has also since confirmed that the fire was that of the Oickle family who are long-time exhibitors, best known for running in the annual ox pulls.
In the wake of the fire the Big Ex has set up a charity to support the Oickle family with their losses.
Crews in Lunenburg County spent hours fighting a fire at a home in difficult conditions.
Multiple fire departments responded to a serious fire in Stanburne on Thursday.
Firefighters battled cold rain and freezing conditions for much of the night.
Reports about the fire first surfaced around 6:30 p.m. and the home where it took place is located outside of New Germany, just off Highway 10.
Google Maps
No serious injuries were reported but family of the property owners have posted on social media the home is completely destroyed.
It is not known how the fire started at this time.
