|
|
Nearly three dozen firefighters from six fire departments responded to a barn blaze on Wednesday afternoon near Sheridan in Fairplain Township. — Submitted photo | Sheridan Fire Authority
FAIRPLAIN TOWNSHIP — Nearly three dozen firefighters from six fire departments responded to a barn blaze on Wednesday afternoon near Sheridan.
The Sheridan Fire Authority was dispatched to 7325 S. Carlson Road at 4:38 p.m. after Montcalm County Central Dispatch received reports of a barn on fire containing equipment, shop tools and an unknown number of bales of hay with flames and heavy smoke.
When firefighters arrived on scene, a 40’ x 70’ metal-sided barn was fully involved with two vehicles also on fire. The property is owned by Tracy Wilkie of Sheridan, according to Montcalm County property tax records.
Nearly three dozen firefighters from six fire departments responded to a barn blaze on Wednesday afternoon near Sheridan in Fairplain Township. — Submitted photo | Sheridan Fire Authority
“With the wind and contents of the barn, the fire spread quickly, but we were able to keep it from spreading further,” Sheridan Fire Chief Brandon Stowell said.
The Stanton Community Fire Department was dispatched as part of an automatic mutual aid agreement and the Greenville Department of Public Safety and Ionia County’s Ronald Township Fire Department were also requested before crews arrived on the scene as the smoke could be seen for several miles.
Shortly after arrival on scene, a tender was requested from Montcalm Township Fire Department to assist with the water shuttle operation with refilling at the Sheridan Fire Station and at a hydrant in the village of Sheridan. The Crystal Township Fire Department also responded with their air delivery vehicle.
The two vehicles parked next to the barn were a total loss, but firefighters were able to keep the flames confined to the barn and prevented it from spreading to a nearby semi-trailer. There were no injuries reported and no animals were harmed.
“Water was a big challenge in the suppression efforts, but with the establishment of the water shuttle, we didn’t have much of a water supply issue,” Stowell said. “All of the crews did a great job working together to keep the fire contained and protecting as much property as they could; there wasn’t anything to save inside the barn.”
It is estimated that more than 52,000 gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire. An excavator was brought in from Bush Rental in Sheridan to remove the hay bales, so fire crews could put the fire out and reach parts of the structure that had collapsed. Bush Rental also brought a portable light tower to the scene to illuminate the area in the darkness.
In all, about 30 firefighters from six fire departments responded to the fire and were assisted by Montcalm County Central Dispatch and Montcalm County Emergency Services, according to Stowell.
“Special thank you to the Sheridan Diner and a local family who brought food and drinks to the fire scene for firefighters,” Stowell said. “We are so thankful for our community and how they always step up and help without being asked. You have no idea how good a slice of pizza or a burger tastes during a long incident.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but is not believed to be suspicious. The property owner does have insurance, but to what extent is not known, according to Stowell.
Firefighters cleared the scene around 9 p.m. Wednesday but had to return to the scene on Thursday morning for some flare-ups.
