Approximately 24 animals died inside a pole barn that caught on fire Saturday evening in the 8600 block of South Route 23 in unincorporated Marengo. | Photo: MFRD

Nearly two dozen animals were killed after the barn they were inside caught on fire and was deemed a total loss on Christmas Eve near Marengo.

The Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts responded around 7:20 p.m. Saturday to the 8600 block of South Route 23 in unincorporated Marengo for a report of a structure fire.

Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Communication Specialist Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived on the scene within five minutes.

They found heavy smoke and fire showing from a 40-foot by 40-foot pole barn at the back of the property.

Approximately 24 animals died inside a pole barn that caught on fire Saturday evening in the 8600 block of South Route 23 in unincorporated Marengo. | Photo: MFRD

Vucha said the alarm was elevated due to sub-zero windchills and the lack of hydrants in the area.

The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level.

Firefighters brought the wind-fueled fire under control within 45 minutes but continued to extinguish hotspots for an additional hour.

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Nearly two dozen animals were killed in the fire, Vucha said. Some of them included chickens and sheep.

Approximately 24 animals died inside a pole barn that caught on fire Saturday evening in the 8600 block of South Route 23 in unincorporated Marengo. | Photo: MFRD

The barn and contents are considered a total loss with an initial estimated loss of $40,000. No other structures were damaged.

The fire is not believed to be suspicious in nature.

A wood-burning stove is being investigated as a possible cause, Vucha said.

The Woodstock, Harvard, Union, Genoa-Kingston, Boone 2 and Hampshire fire departments responded to assist.

The fire remains under investigation by the Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts.