Haviland barn fire

A barn (above) in the Haviland area was destroyed, along with straw/hay being stored in the structure, as a result of a fire that occurred Monday evening around 5:30 p.m. According to Scott Fire Chief Jay Klopfenstein, his department received mutual aid from Payne, Convoy, and Grover Hill fire departments, with approximately 30 firefighters at the scene for approximately 10 hours. The Van Wert County Red Cross Disaster Team was also at the scene to provide assistance to firefighters. According to Mark Klausing of the Red Cross, area businesses, including Subway, Walmart, Pack-A-Sack, McDonald’s, and Pizza Hut, donated food to the firefighters who were battling the blaze. (Red Cross photo)