Quick response limits barn fire damage at Miracle of America Museum
Gil Mangels demonstrates the moving parts of an antique stationary bailer Monday at the Miracle of America Museum along U.S. Highway 93 east of Polson. The bailer was among several museum exhibits that was damaged in a fire Friday. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Some pieces, like this Oliver plow that sat unused for years on Wild Horse Island, sustained severe damage. The heat from the fire twisted and bent some metal parts. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Some pieces of equipment burned in the fire could be restored with a bit of cleaning and replacement of wooden parts. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
A twisted piece of machinery rests among the ashes of the agriculture barn at the Miracle of America Museum. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Gil Mangels said he needs to go through several piles of burned museum pieces and determine which are salvageable. He said it will take years to restore everything that wasn't a complete loss. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
An adjacent small barn survived Friday's fire with only minor burns. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
A nearby antique fire engine was of no use during Friday's fire. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
A barn full of antique tractors right beside the agriculture barn received virtually no damage from the fire. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Piles of burned antiques and artifacts stand in front of the burned agriculture barn at the Miracle of America Museum. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
The agriculture barn that was destroyed by a fire Friday at the Miracle of America Museum. (Courtesy of Gil Mangels)
Fire crews spray a barn on fire at the Miracle of America Museum on Friday. (Courtesy of John Hart)
Fire response crews from Polson and beyond responded to a structure fire at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson around 9 a.m. Friday. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
A bit of Lake County history went up in smoke Friday morning as a fire destroyed a barn full of agricultural equipment and artifacts at the Miracle of America Museum southeast of Polson.
The good news is things could have been much worse...
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