Iconic barn at Cox Farms burns down in early morning fire

An investigation is underway after an iconic staple at Cox Farms is gone after a fire broke out early Sunday morning.

The beloved barn at Cox Farms burned to the ground in the blaze, which began around 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 2. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says thankfully, there were no injuries.  

FOX 5 spoke with Cox Farm’s caretaker, Sam, who says a heater knocked over inside the barn may be to blame. He says minks have been startling the chickens, which could have led to the heater being hit. 

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue confirms they responded to the scene to find flames shooting from the barn’s roof before putting the fire out. They say it took about 30 minutes to put out the flames. 

Cox Farms says they lost a dozen of their chickens, a tractor, one of their most popular slides, their beloved sunflower and other art that decorated the barn. The memorable sunflower has been here for at least 100 years.


On their Facebook page, Cox Farms said they’re thankful for the Fairfax County and Loudoun County firefighters who were able to contain the fire to the barn itself.

"It served us well, and it has been a sturdy (and beautiful) backdrop for decades. Our landscape won't be the same without it. But mostly, we are so glad that the damage was contained, and our homes and our people are all safe," their post read in part. 

Cox Farms is a long-time staple in the area with families from across the DMV making the haul to Centreville to go on hay rides, pick pumpkins, go on slides and sip apple cider to welcome in Fall and the holiday season.

"I’m just surprised this happened," Chantilly resident Tammie Jones said. "That something like this happened in my own backyard."

FOX 5 was told that the slide attached to the barn was also destroyed but it’s being replaced with an even bigger slide that will debut in the fall.

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