According to a press release from the City of Whitewater Fire/EMS Department [WFD], at approximately 6:26 a.m. on 04/06/2025, they were alerted to a barn fire at 8731 N. Lima Center Road, Town of Lima, Rock County. The property is approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the fire station in an area that does not have hydrants.

The legacy dairy barn, which was being used for livestock shelter and hay storage, was completely engulfed in flames upon the first firefighters’ arrival. Due to the amount of hay in the building, approximately 100,000 gallons of water was needed to fully extinguish the fire. WFD indicates that the barn and its contents are a total loss. Some of the cattle, sheep and goats in the barn at the time of the fire were able to escape, but due to the collapse of the building it is unknown how many livestock were lost.

Investigation is ongoing, but the fire was not deemed to be suspicious. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

WFD thanked the following departments for their assistance: Whitewater Fire/EMS would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their assistance: Lauderdale-LaGrange, Darien, City of Delavan, Town of Delavan, Palmyra, Troy Center, Rome, Sullivan, Johnson Creek, Lakeside, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Elkhorn, East Troy, Janesville, and Lake Mills.