At 2248 hrs on February 6th the Lewes Fire Department along with mutual aid from Rehoboth Beach VFD and Milton VFD were dispatched to a working barn fire on Gills Neck Road. 82-8 with Safety Officer Buckaloo went enroute as well as Engine 82-5 with Assistant Chief Stadler and Ladder82 with Assistant Chief Virden, the units were advised that a homeowner from a nearby development said they could see a large barn well involved. 82-8 and 82-5 proceeded to a dirt lane after forcing a locked gate and split layed to the barn. 82-8 established command and Engine 82-5 advanced a 2 1/2 inch attack line to the fire. After a strong initial attack the handline was backed into a safer area and told to standby until water supply was set up. 82 Command then called for additional tankers from Indian River, Millsboro, Slaughter Beach. The barn was located in an open field approximately 1/2 mile from the roadway and water supply was established with several thousand feet of 5" supply hose. After seeing the fire progression through the structure 82 Command advised the units operating on the fireground that this incident would be a defensive operation. Another 2 1/2 inch handline was connected to a ground moniter and multiple 1 3/4 inch attack lines were placed in service to keep hot spots at bay. Georgetown, Ellendale, Bethany Beach, Millville and Milford provided engine transfer assignments for the invovled companies.