A New Year’s Eve fire destroyed a barn at Steinbach Broiler Farms, just south of Steinbach.

Fire crews were called to the blaze just after 9pm on Friday.

Chief Kel Toews they arrived to see flames coming through the roof of one of the barns, approximately 200 x 40 feet.

Fire crews arrive to flames coming through the roof of the barn. (photo submitted)

“Since the flames were already coming through the roof, and the building was totally in flames so we basically took a defensive stance, didn’t send anyone in. So, it was basically a surround and drown type of fire,” says Toews.

Fighting such a blaze on a cold winters' night when it’s minus 40, it poses some challenges, he explains.

“You don’t want to freeze up the pumps, don’t want to freeze up your personnel. So, we did very little water,” says Toews.

The crew of approximately 20 firefighters allowed the walls to collapse so they could gain access to the interior of the steel building and extinguish the fire.

“You almost have to let the fire takes its course,” he says.

Firefighters returned on New Year’s Day to peel back the tin and extinguish some hot spots.

Toews says the cause of the fire is being investigated by the fire commissioners office, adding that it does not appear suspicious.

The barn was empty when the fire started and Toews estimates damage at over a million dollars.

Firefighters return to the barn on New Year's Day to peel back the tin and extinguish the hot spots. (photo submitted)