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FARMINGTON – A storage building on the Bailey Hill Farm was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon.

Seven fire departments with six tankers responded to the 1:44 p.m. call on Bailey Hill Road, Deputy Fire Chief Clyde Ross said.

The farmhouse and barn, owned by Shirley Bailey and her son Conrad, were not damaged by the fire, although both were close to the shed, he said. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is unknown, Ross said, although it is believed the fire may have started near an outdoor furnace.

The furnace was scorched on the back but was not damaged.

A passer-by reported the fire, he said. Conrad Bailey was working in one of the fields and Ross was not sure if anyone else was home at the time.

The approximately 25-by-30-foot shed was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and was leveled by the flames.

Bailey told Ross that “everything I use” was in the shed, including a variety of tools and miscellaneous items. Without knowing the contents of the shed, Ross couldn’t estimate the amount of the loss Saturday, but did say it would cost approximately $25,000 to replace the building.

It was not covered by insurance, he said.

Farmington Fire Chief Terry Bell led the crews fighting the fire with help from New Sharon, Wilton, Temple, Industry, Chesterville and New Vineyard departments.

Tankers used a fire hydrant on Granite Heights at the bottom of the hill for water, but firefighters had a good tanker shuttle, he said. The departments spent last weekend training for tanker shuttles, he added.

Farmington Fire and Rescue returned to the station at 3:20 p.m., Ross said.

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