BUCHANAN – A state fire investigator has ruled the cause of a massive dairy barn fire that destroyed a family's livelihood “undetermined.” The damage from the fire was so bad, they’ll never know what caused it, said Michigan State Police Fire Investigator Sgt. Scott LeRoy.
Lights and fans were on all the time in the barn, LeRoy said, and he doesn’t suspect anything suspicious.
The fire broke out around 10:30 last Wednesday morning in the 16,000 block of Wells Road, west of Buchanan.
Five days after the Powers family lost 65 dairy cows, they’re still trying to keep it all in perspective, and trying to be positive about the future.
“Clean up now, that’s what we’re doing,” said Nick Powers.
Aside from the 35 cows that survived the fire, a smoldering pile of hay, ashes and twisted metal is just about all that's left of his farm – an operation that shipped about 20,000 gallons of milk out of the farm each week.
“We don’t like it, that’s for sure. It’s terrible. Just a terrible loss,” Powers added.
But Powers continues to be humbled by the loss of his dairy farm, family owned since 1942.
“What the good Lord desires, we’ll do and do the best we can,” he said with tears in his eyes.
“It’s just so hard to get over,” added his wife Barb. “Especially when you look out that way and you don’t see your barn. And don’t hear your cows mooing at you.”
Friends and neighbors are helping the family heal with cards, home cooked meals and phone calls.
The Powers are still unsure about their future. Only one milk cow survived the fire and the family isn't sure if insurance money will cover the loss of their other cows and equipment.
Nick Powers said he may continue crop farming the 700 acres they own with corn and beans.
But one thing is certain – the family’s faith in God and gratitude for what they still have will push them forward.
“Just keep praying for us,” he said. “That’s the best thing we can do.”
