SUMMARY: Second setback by fire for Gessner family
A Dundee family suffered a second loss to fire in less than a year Thursday April 14 after a barn containing animals and personal items burned down.
A barn at 7287 Dundee-Strasburg Road NW was a total loss, destroyed by a fire reported at approximately 8:23 p.m.
According to Strasburg Fire reports, the structure and contents, valued at $250,000, is a total loss.
The barn, described as a wooden structure containing 22 horse stalls, was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene. Among items lost in the fire are a classic car, golf carts and a street sweeper. Three goats died in the blaze.
The barn is owned by Vic and Winnie Gessner. A business owned by the Gessners, a flea market in Strasburg, was destroyed by fire Oct. 13. That fire has since been ruled as arson.
Vic Gessner was working in the barn prior to the fire. He left to run errands, and Winnie reported the fire after she heard popping noises coming from the structure.
Mutual aid to Strasburg Fire was provided by Beach City, Dover, Mount Eaton, Sugarcreek, Wayne Township, Wilmot and Winesburg fire departments.
The state fire marshal is investigating the fire and a cause has not been determined, as of Friday April 15.
