UPDATE: One Person Dead in Barn Collapse

One person is dead after a barn collapsed in Chandlersville Friday evening.

The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, New Concord Fire Department and Wayne Township Fire Department responded to the call around 7 p.m. at 3920 North Leedom Road.  Sergeant Roy Cunningham of the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office said an elderly couple was inside the barn when it was destroyed by the storm.

"They were in the process of tending to their animals when the barn collapsed," said Cunningham.  "The gentleman was able to get out with relatively minor injuries, but his wife was killed when the barn fell on them.  We do know for sure that she is dead."

Firefighters sifted through the rubble to recover 70-year-old Marsha Reutter’s body.  Cunningham said more than a dozen alpacas and several dogs were also trapped in the wreckage.  The male was able to use a landline telephone to call for help, and he was not transported to the hospital.  Cunningham said the road conditions created problems for emergency responders.

"We’ve had numerous calls throughout the county and surrounding counties of trees and power lines knocked down," said Cunningham.  "The biggest problem we’re having is there’s a limited crew here because we have to send people to so many calls, especially the more active or emergency calls that are more important."