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CHARLESTON, Wasatch County — A barn filled with hay that caught fire Friday night continued to burn Saturday and will likely do so for the next few days, fire officials said.
The barn, near 3600 South and 3400 West in Charleston, housed 250 to 300 tons of hay, according to owner John Price. Price estimates he lost $40,000 to $50,000 in the fire.
Fire officials said the barn is a total loss.
Residents of Charleston, near Midway, can expect to see smoke for the next few days as fire officials keep the blaze under control, Wasatch County Fire District Lt. Janet Carson said.
Smoky air in Wasatch County. Why this barn fire continues to burn, nearly 24 hours after it began at 10 @KSL5TVpic.twitter.com/STtZM64jfQ
— Sandra Yi (@KSL_SandraYi) January 17, 2016
"This is hardest type of fire to completely douse, so it'll probably do this for close to a week," Carson said, adding that a passing storm has helped clear out some of the smoke.
Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, but Price suspects a tractor that was plugged in may have been the source after a heater shorted out.
The barn has been in Price's family for four generations.
"I purchased this when my grandfather passed away from the family," he said. "To me, the main thing is loss of life and that wasn't part of it and we can look forward with a positive attitude for tomorrow."
Contributing: Sandra Yi
