A fire that began shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday morning destroyed a 150-foot by 30-foot tobacco barn on Long Plain Road in Whately. Contributed by Whately Fire Department.
A fire that began shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday morning destroyed a 150-foot by 30-foot tobacco barn on Long Plain Road in Whately. Contributed by Whately Fire Department.

WHATELY — A fire that began shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday destroyed a tobacco barn on Long Plain Road, but firefighters were able to protect the nearby Whately Elementary School.

Whately Fire Chief John Hannum said on Sunday morning that there was no damage to the school, but that there is nothing left of the barn, which was owned by Fairview Farms. No firefighters were injured.

Hannum said the fire may have been caused by the severe storm Saturday night and Sunday morning.

“We believe it was a lightning strike, but (the Whately Fire Department is) going to do an investigation tomorrow,” Hannum said.