On January 28, 2026, at approximately 11:31 A.M., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding black smoke coming from the area of 36932 160th Avenue in Avon. This property is owned by Jerome Eichers, 64, of Avon. Stearns County Deputies and the Avon Fire Department responded to the call. The Avon Fire Department requested assistance from several other local fire departments. The fire was extinguished; however, the barn is believed to be a total loss. The barn housed chickens, goats and several dogs. The chickens and several young puppies did not survive. At the time of the fire, it was believed that all the goats had gotten out of the building. Other fire departments from Albany, Melrose, Holdingford, and St. Stephen responded to the call along with Mayo Ambulance Service. The fire is believed to have started from a heating lamp inside the barn.
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