BOONE, Iowa [KCCI] – A Boone family is recovering after a fire destroyed their barn and killed six show lambs over the weekend. The fire reportedly started on the west end of the barn and quickly spread to the entire building. The cause of the fire, which took place Saturday afternoon, was still under investigation.

Heath Oakes – who owns the barn – said he suspects a pile of manure may have self-combusted and ignited old corn stalks. The flames were fanned by strong winds. The flames spread across the field and down to the road, but firefighters managed to prevent damage to a neighbor’s field.

Oakes tried to save the lambs, but the flames were too intense. Despite the loss of livestock, Oakes expressed relief that his family was unharmed.

The family still has a few lambs in a nearby barn. They have set up a GoFundMe to assist with rebuilding efforts.