Firefighters Save 24 Sheep, 18 Goats From Barn Fire: PHOTOS

HARVARD, IL — Firefighters saved several sheep, goats, chickens and ducks from a barn after it went up in flames and then collapsed Tuesday afternoon near Harvard, authorities said.

Four animals did not survive the blaze and collapse of the two-story, 30-foot by 50-foot barn in the 10800 block of Weidner Road in unincorporated Harvard, according to a news release from the Harvard Fire Protection District.

The fire protection district arrived at the scene 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, and ended up saving 24 sheep, 18 goats, one cow and several chickens and ducks from the barn. When the structure collapsed, it left a void on the lower level that ended up protecting nearly all the animals from the fire, fire officials said in a news release.

No firefighters or residents were injured in the blaze.

Fire officials believe heavy rain and winds that hit the area at the time of the fire contributed to the barn collapse, according to a news release.