Barn destroyed in Rockford area fire; State Fire Marshal investigating

Rockford Fire Chief Rob Belna says crews were called to a structure fire in the 3000 block of State Route 707, where a barn was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

Belna says the fire happened at 3008 State Route 707 and is considered a total loss. Mutual aid responded from Mercer Rockford Community Fire Company, Chattanooga Fire Department, Ohio City Fire, and Rockford EMS.

Initial reports from the scene described a heavily involved structure with nearby exposures, and the caller reported hearing what sounded like explosions coming from inside the barn. Belna says there were also water supply issues during the response.

Chief Belna says the Ohio State Fire Marshal was called in and the cause remains under investigation. AES was requested to respond, and Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers were also called to shut down State Route 707 in both directions.