Fire breaks out at Southern Hill Farms

On Monday, September 9, a fire broke out at Southern Hill Farms in the early morning hours.

The Clermont Fire Department and the Lake County Fire and Rescue Department responded to the fire shortly after 3 a.m.

Representatives from Southern Hill Farm confirmed that no one was injured in the fire.

However, the barn, which housed most of the farm equipment – ​​including several tractors, farm vehicles and other equipment important to the farm – caught fire and burned down completely.

Olivia Clark, communications director for Southern Hill Farms, said the cause of the fire is currently unclear, but it is more than likely that lightning struck the barn, starting the fire.

Southern Hill Farms had previously closed to prepare for its 9th annual Fall Festival, which is scheduled to begin September 28 and run through November 17.

Clark said the gates will still be open for the festival, but there is still a lot of work to be done to restore equipment and infrastructure so the Southern Hill Farms family can get back to doing what they love: farming.

“Southern Hill Farms is committed to continuing and appreciates the community's continued support during this difficult time,” Clark said. “We can only ask for prayers as we navigate these unprecedented times and support as we reopen for our festival.”

Southern Hill Farms is located at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont.

For more information about Southern Hill Farms click here or follow the farm on Facebook here.

This is a developing story, please check back later for further updates.