PLAINS – Flames engulfed a barn early Wednesday morning on January 8, burning the structure to the ground.

The report of the fire, which occurred on Clayton Street, came over the scanner before 10 a.m. As flames took over the building, the fire gutted the inside of the barn.

Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department and Plains Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, however, the building was deemed a total loss and there were no attempts to put the fire out.

Plains Police Chief Shawn Emmett was also on scene.

Due to the rate of consumption, Rural Fire Chief John Holland said they decided to let the barn burn because of the dangers presented by the frame.

“It was pretty well burned up when we got here. For safety reasons we are letting the walls go down,” Holland said.

Once the walls completely came down, the Rural Fire Department began mop up efforts to ensure the fire was contained.

Sanders County Sherriff’s Office Detective Martin Spring is currently doing some follow up work on the case.

“I heard they had some kids seen running from the building when it was on fire. They were interviewed by school officials and determined not to have anything to do with it,” Detective Springs said.

However, according to local authorities the barn was sometimes used as a spot for kids to hang out.

“The kids like to go out there and smoke. That’s probably what happened,” Detective Springs said. “I can’t rule that out.”

Currently the sherriff’s office is taking a closer look at the county lines to determine whether the barn was indeed on county property.

The barn was used for storing hay and no one was injured during the fire.

As of now the cause of the fire remains undetermined.