Fire destroys hay, memories

MONTROSE — It took but moments to wipe out 80 years of memories.

The Lloyd Watson family lost two buildings, 100 tons of hay and several cherished mementos in a Nov. 29 blaze that also slightly injured a firefighter.

"It was awful," Watson's daughter, Rhonda said. "It was everything that said what Dad is."

She said her father, a farmer who rents out horses from his Uncompahgre Road address, lost his collection of more than 200 saddles, many of which were heirlooms, as well as tack and other possessions when the buildings burned.

"It was devastating. I felt like I watched them (parents) give up. How do you replace 80 years of memories? You don't," she said.

The fire was reported just before 7 p.m. Nov. 29. Montrose Fire Protection District crews  were on scene all night, because of the burning hay.

Watson's daughter said neighbors were working on a truck in her father's garage that evening. The fire broke out after they left and was spotted by another neighbor, who noticed the haystack was on fire.

Neither she nor the fire district knew what caused the fire; a kerosene lantern could have contributed. The fire apparently broke out in the shed/shop area, then ignited the nearby hay and livestock structure.

Firefighters used a "blitz attack" on the burning hay, which continued to smolder.

"It's hard to put out," Deputy Chief Dale Erickson said. "We used a mini excavator to spread it out. It takes a lot of time to put out (hay)."

Watson's grandsons also helped move hay throughout the night.

Erickson said one crew member sustained thermal burns, caused by steam. He was treated at the scene and continued to fight the fire.

The fire district preliminarily estimated property losses of $100,000 and content losses of $60,000, though the actual loss could be much higher. The report did not indicate whether the family had insurance.

Watson could not be reached for comment before deadline Wednesday.