Believed to have started at contact with an electric fence, 60 bales of hay were lost to fire Tuesday, Feb. 24 near Big Clifty.

Rebus Stewart, 56 Clifty Church Road, Big Clifty, reported the fast-burning fire that destroyed three rows of round-bale hay.

East Grayson County Fire Department was called to control the fire. By the time the department arrived, little could be done to put out the fire.

Stewart's attempts to move the bales did nothing but scatter the bales and flames, firemen said.

According to Tammy VanMeter, assistant chief, the department could only protect the nearby structures. A feed building and a tobacco barn used to house a hay baler and tools were in the path of a strong wind that kicked up continuously, spreading the blaze.

The hay is estimated at $11 a bale, coming to a loss of over $600.

"I'm not worried about the loss, I have enough hay to get through the rest of the winter. I'm worried about my buildings," Stewart said.

Clarkson Fire Department was called to assist with manpower later in the evening.