Durham barn lost to fire

DURHAM — Fire destroyed a barn in Durham Friday afternoon.

Firefighters were dispatched to 36 Stonitch Road at 1:31 p.m., emergency officials said.

A caller reported a horse barn on fire, and then said it looked like a wood furnace on fire with cows tied to it.

Durham Ambulance arrived first on the scene and reported a working barn fire, officials said.

Fire companies from East Durham, Oak Hill-Durham, Tri-Village and Greenville fought the blaze, which ended up destroying the barn, officials said.

The barn housed cows and pigs. All the cows were able to escape the flames, said fire officials, who think all of the pigs also were able to get out of the barn safely.

No injuries to firefighters were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation but fire officials said they believe it started in the outdoor wood furnace.

Town of Durham Police assisted on the scene.