Spontaneous combustion has been determined to be the cause of a devastating fire in a Monee barn last month.
The Aug. 17 fire destroyed the barn owned by Luz Elana and Dan Klotz, whose gentle cows are cherished for cuddling the same way dogs and cats are.
None of the farm’s 11 cows or any of the other animals were harmed.
But damage is estimated to be at least $150,000, and a fundraiser has been launched to help cover losses not included in the family’s insurance policy.
Luz said that her husband discovered the fire when he looked out the window of their home at 5406 W Hilltop Road.
“He suddenly noticed smoke billowing out of the barn and immediately called the fire department,” she said.
“Our Fire Chief, Chief Nieland, said he already had smelled smoke. He lives in the subdivision close to our house.
“Chief Nieland was the first person on the scene. Four different communities answered the call.
“After having made the call, Dan went outside to see what he could do but the smoke overwhelmed him.
“After all the fire had been put out, he was asked to move the straw with the help of his tractor. He agreed, and when he was done, he fainted stepping down from the tractor.
“I was not home when Dan called me and I told him I would be home immediately.
“I approached the street to my house and was told by an officer that I had to turn around. After telling him that my house was on fire, he said I could park and walk down the long driveway of ours.
“As I approached the house, the paramedics were placing Dan on the gurney. They told me they were taking him to the nearest hospital. I told them I would meet him there after taking care of things here.
“Our cows were all out in the pasture.” Luz said. “Twizzler, our mini horse, must have been very frightened. He was in the paddock behind the barn. One of the firefighters told me he kept trying to come into the barn. None of the chickens or ducks were harmed, either. Mocha the goat stayed by the firefighters. He thought they must have been here to give him hugs and pets.
“When I stayed behind, Chief Nieland told me that the source of the fire was spontaneous combustion. Amazing. Something we all learn about in science class and never experience until now.
“He explained that with all the rain, humidity and heat this is what happens in barns. Because we only had three straw bales, the fire was contained quickly, but even in that short time our barn was destroyed.
“We had just added on to the existing barn a year ago. All of it has concrete flooring. The older part of the barn had just gotten a clean-up and the new floor on the July 4th weekend. Part of the barn is our shop where tools and things are stored.
“What a mess that is!
“To rebuild and replace it all will be close to $150,000, if not more.
“Things have not been inventoried yet, but we know we lost our professional hair dryer that we use for our cows, a pressure washer to clean the floors, two pallets of sweet feed, fans, lights, hay barrels, hoses, brooms and the countless things in the shop.
“It is a bit overwhelming,” she admitted.
“The largest burden is no electricity out in the barn. Our cows are kept in the pasture using an electric fence system. Amazingly enough, they stayed penned in until one of them realized that the wire no longer zaps!
“It is very difficult gathering them back up into where they belong after they scatter all over the place. After a couple of days of that, Dan rigged power from the house to a new electric box for the fence. A few zaps and the cows are contained again.
“Family and friends have helped in getting a generator so as to power the electric fence until the barn is repaired. Special thanks to the Gombergs, the Footes, and the Mezas. Because of their generosity we were able to purchase a generator today.
Our friend Narissa Vogt created a GoFundMe page. “Unbelievable how people have been so very generous. Many are our Cow Cuddlers that have come to cuddle with our cows.
“Our marketing firm, Becka Bates, President of BatesMeron Sweet Design donated to the GoFundMe page and has personally reached out with help during this most difficult time.
“Thankfully because the weather has become much more comfortable, we have not needed the fans at night.
“Our Cow Cuddling sessions have been taking place outside in the pasture and cuddlers have been so very supportive.
“One very important point Chief Nieland said is that spontaneous combustion is not uncommon. Keep an eye on your straw and hay inside your barns. We never thought it could really happen with so little straw.”
In spite of the losses and frustrations involved, Luz said she was grateful.
“God is so good. No one and no animals were harmed because of this fire. It is just a bit unnerving.”
Meanwhile, Dan has recovered from smoke inhalation and dehydration.
“I’m doing better,” he said.
“Never in my 66 years have I asked for this kind of help,” he added.
“But now I am.
“I know some will say the insurance will take care of everything. But there are a lot of issues unfortunately. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”
For those interested, donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-luz-farms-recover-from-barn-fire. As of Monday, it had raised $3,400 toward a goal of $11,000.
Luz Farm is a Latina-owned business that includes farming corn and soybeans, and raising pork, grain, and honey. They are members of the Will County Farm Bureau. They also raise cattle, as well as vegetables and microgreens in their greenhouse.
More information is available at Luzfarms.com.