Democrat Photo by Paul Hemmer

May 12, 2000 -- UP IN FLAMES: Just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, the Jeffersonville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to this fully involved barn fire on County Route 164 not far from its intersection with Route 52 in Kohlertown (near Jeffersonville). According to Chief Robert Simon of the Jeff FD, firefighters found the barn, owned by Dick Krongel and located next to the local car wash, totally engulfed in flames. Assisted by firefighters from Youngsville, Kenoza Lake, Callicoon Center, Hortonville and North Branch, the volunteers fought to protect the Krongel residence 150 feet away (it sustained minimal damage) and a 275-gallon gas storage tank just 30 feet away. Although the tank was successfully kept cool by water sprays, a tractor, three cars and other equipment inside the two-story barn were destroyed. The Krongels, who were home at the time of the fire, speculated that a bolt of lightning during Tuesday night’s severe storm caused the blaze. The fire, however, was contained in half an hour, and no injuries were reported. Youngsville, White Sulphur Springs and Callicoon FD members were on standby until 2:30 a.m.