Another Robertson Tobacco Barn Lost to Fire: High Winds Blamed
ROBERTSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE (Smokey Barn News) – Robertson County lost another tobacco barn this morning, adding to recent losses in the area. The barn, already fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, left responders with little option other than to control the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby wood line and other structures.
The barn is located on Kinneys Rd between Doug Armstrong Road and Richards Rd, the first call coming into 911 at 10:25 a.m.
The nine-acre barn, filled with curing tobacco, was a total loss. Fire Chief Donovan Tucker with the Adams Fire Department estimated the loss of tobacco at $98,000, while the barn itself was valued at about $150,000, bringing the total loss to approximately $248,000 for the farmer.
Chief Tucker attributed the fire to high winds, explaining, “The barns will move when the wind blows hard which can cause a tobacco stick to fall into the fire, igniting both the barn and the curing crop inside.”
This time of year presents a heightened risk for tobacco farmers as they cure their crops. While Robertson County has experienced a series of barn fires recently, authorities have not suggested foul play, viewing the spike as part of the usual hazards associated with the industry. This is the second fire in the Adams area in recent days. On October 30th (just around the corner from this barn) another tobacco barn was lost to fire over on Richards Road. The total loss of that fire was north of $130,000 (FULL REPORT) but again Chief Tucker (who worked both fires) does not believe foul play was involved. 
The Adams Fire Department, and Robertson County EMS all responded to the scene. No injuries were reported in the incident.
PHOTOS: Donovan Tucker/Adams Fire Department
