Local landmark destroyed by fire

Submitted by Casscounty2 on

 By Robin Hall 

 
It was lighning that struck in O’Farrell that sparked flames destroying one of the original buildings in Cass County early Monday. 
According to fire department personell on scene Monday morning, lightning either struck a tree next to the O’Farrell Community Center or the building itself; possibly both. 
By the time a passerby was headed to work and called in the fire, it was too late to salvage the building, portions of which were erected in 1890. 
“It was pretty startling, looking out and seeing that fire,” Lyle McBride told the Citizens Journal Monday morning. “It looked like our barn was on fire at first.” 
McBride and his wife Lisse work with his parents Benny and Judy Moore at their winery, O’Farrell Country Vineyards, located just west of the Community Center. 
Lisse captured the first images of the fire while the building was fully engulfed. 
The vineyard did not sustain any damages from the embers that were blown over from the massive fire. The heavy rains that accompanied the lightning prevented flames from spreading. 
It has not been decided as of yet what will happen to the site once the debris is cleared away. The site has served as a school, Methodist Church, voting location and a site for making memories as local families have used the building for family reunions, receptions, weddings and other events. 
According to Republican Chair Eileen Collins, a new location for Pct. 15 voters to vote in the March 1 Primary Election is still under consideration. 
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