Arsonist Destroys Amish Barns; Animals Die, Planting Delayed

BELLEVILLE, Pa. —  An arsonist burned down six Amish barns within two hours, killing 177 animals and crippling a farming community on the eve of planting season.

“Something has to be wrong with him. These people don’t bother anybody,” said Milroy Fire Chief Ron Staib.

No arrest had been made by Monday evening, but police said they had identified a suspect in the fires, which began Saturday.

Many of the Amish already had been plowing fields to prepare for planting this month, but the fires cost them their horse teams, plows and seed. The fires also killed dairy cows whose milk is the only source of income for many farmers during the winter.

“You’ve got bad people and you’ve got good people. That’s for sure,” said Moses Hostetler. His uncle, Isaac S. Yoder, lost a barn, 33 cows and seven horses near Milroy.

Twenty-four fire companies from four counties fought the fires, and a concrete company was drafted to carry extra water in its cement trucks.

The blazes killed 139 cattle and 38 horses.

Amish avoid most modern equipment. “English,” or non-Amish, neighbors used bulldozers and dump trucks to bury the livestock carcasses in mass graves.

State police Cpl. Norman Gantz in Yeagertown said authorities had a suspect but would not elaborate.

After dousing the blazes, firefighters traveled from house to house warning farmers to watch their barns.

“It’s hard to believe anyone would do something like that,” Staib said.

Area resident John Yoder said the community would have a busy season of barn-raisings, in which Amish neighbors turn out to build a barn in a day. People will start cutting lumber today, he said.

The Kishacoquillas Valley National Bank in Belleville is collecting donations for a Big Valley Barn Relief Fund.