BUCKINGHAM - Fire tore through a barn north of Buckingham early this morning, killing several sheep.

The Hudson Fire Department was called to the Louis Beck farm at 14124 Beck Road in southern Black Hawk County around 5:30 a.m. Beck said he received a call from a relative the barn was on fire.

"It was already shooting flames out the door," he said.

Beck used the barn mainly for new-born lambs and sheep about to give birth. At least six sheep were in the building at the time of the fire, he said. One sheep just gave birth to lambs over the weekend. Another was supposed to give birth this week.

Beck said he has about 15 ewes total, so the loss is devastating.

"It just makes me sick to my stomach," Beck said.

None of his other buildings or sheep were hurt. However, electricity for his other barns was routed through the lambing building. Right now, none those buildings have electricity or running water.

Beck said he has insurance.

RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer

Owner Louis Beck, at left in background, checks with Hudson firefighters battling a fire in a building on his property in southern Black Hawk County this morning.