Several cows perish in Waukechon barn fire

A barn was destroyed and at least six cows were lost in a fire Feb. 4. About 5:02 p.m., the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received a call reporting a barn fire on Swamp Road near County Road K in the Town of Waukechon. Callers reported the barn was fully engulfed, and that there was no one inside. When deputies arrived on scene, they were able to confirm no one was inside the barn. Deputies were informed there was still cattle in the barn, and people were trying to herd the rest away from the barn. Lessor-Navarino, Shawano and Bonduel fire departments responded to the scene to control the barn fire. Deputies spoke with the owners and were informed they believed possibly six to eight cows did not make it out of the barn. It is believed a space heater in the well house of the barn likely caused the fire. Besides the fire departments, the sheriff’s department was also assisted by Shawano Ambulance, Bonduel EMS, Shawano County Highway Department and Grunewald Excavating.