Chelsy Nelson of rural Valley City cares for her pet pig, Mira, who survived a barn fire at the Nelson’s farm on March 17. The Nelsons named the pig Mira, which is short for “Miracle” because she is one of the few animals who survived the fire. Chelsy lost many of her animals, (who were also her pets), in the fire which she planned to show in upcoming 4-H and other ag shows. The pig has burns on her body, but is improving. (Submitted photo) 

By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

It’s a night the Bob and Virginia Nelson family won’t soon forget ... St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2008.
That’s the night their barn burned down 10 miles south of Valley City. But the worst thing was the 4-H livestock that died in  the fire. Their daughter, Chelsy, showed the animals at various ag shows, and they were her loving pets.
Chelsy, a junior at Valley City High School, has been actively showing animals since she was 8 years old, and loves it, according to her mother, Virginia. Chelsy is a member of the Prairie Riders 4-H Club of Valley City.
Virginia said they lost 16 lambs, along with six ewes, a dairy goat and babies, three top show bunnies, three baby pigs and a pot belly pig. It was lambing and kidding season, and they lost all of them. The Nelsons also lost kittens and grooming equipment in the fire.
Chelsy wasn’t home at the time of the fire, which was about 8:30 p.m., but her mother and father, Bob, were. They had looked in on the animals earlier and then went in to eat supper. When Virginia looked out about 8:30 p.m., the whole barn was engulfed in flames. They ran out and tried to save some of the livestock, but it was too late for most of them.
They did manage to save some rabbits and one little pig. They   named her Mira, which is short for “Miracle.” Mira does have burns on her body, but is getting better. 
The Nelsons also saved two sheep, meat goats, a dairy heifer and a beef calf. These animals were all out behind the barn, and not locked in what Virginia calls “the nursery.”
The Nelsons’ eight horses managed to flee the fire as well. They weren’t locked in either, but were in a lean-to attached to the 40’ x  50’ hip-roofed barn.
The Nelsons believe the fire may have started when a bulb in the heat lamp popped.
The Nelsons didn’t have insurance on the barn, but friends, neighbors and relatives have come forth to help them.
“Everyone has been so nice. We have lots of friends ... and good ones,” Chelsy said.
A fundraiser is planned for April 15 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Club in Valley City. Serving for a spaghetti supper is planned from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., along with a silent auction. Jim Nelson of Miller Motors, who is a brother to Bob Nelson, and Ellen Bjelland, who works at the NDSU Extension Service at the Barnes County Courthouse where Bob is employed, Deb Kohler of Bank Forward, along with some other friends, are organizing the fundraiser at the VFW Club.
Jim Nelson said anyone who has articles for the auction may drop them off at Miller Motors.
A Bob and Virginia Nelson Benefit Account has been set up at Bank Forward for people who want to help the Nelsons financially.
It is hoped enough money can be raised so a barn can be built for the Nelsons. Once that is accomplished, Jim Nelson said they would like to help replace some of the animals the Nelsons lost in the fire.
It is hoped that Chelsy will have a few animals she can show at the 4-H Youth Livestock Shows at the Fargo Fair in June.