Smoking tin and debris are all that remains of The Red Barn, which has been a landmark on Highway 78 for decades. A lightning strike in the wee hours Sunday morning started a fire that destroyed The Red Barn, for years an apple-and-apple-cider landmark along the Athens Highway in the Celeste community.

"This is heartbreaking," said Linda Howard. "It's like watching history burn."

The barn, which once housed and sold the products of the apple orchard surrounding the property, was struck by lightning about 4:30 Sunday morning. The alarm came in to 911 at 4:32, and firefighters from the Rayle Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Brent Sherrer were on scene within eight minutes.

A total of seven fire units from Rayle, Washington, Tignall, and Newtown - two engines, five tankers, and 13 personnel, fought the fire in a strong wind that fanned the flames. The barn and its contents were destroyed.

Inside the barn, former barbeque owner Cecil Cagle, now of Lawrenceville, had restaurant equipment stored, and equipment and supplies stored by Mike Howard, owner of Bigun's next door.

The restaurant was not damaged, said Linda Howard, but the restaurant's water came from a pump powered from the barn and it would take a few days to restore.