Fort Atkinson Fire Chief Bruce Peterson, issuing a news release Sunday, reported that his department was dispatched last Saturday to a possible barn fire.
According to the release, Fort Atkinson Fire Department assets, including Engine 8161 and Medic 8158, were the first units to respond at approximately 3:24 p.m. to N2020 Blackhawk Island Road.
Additionally, the chief reported, while en route, the firefighters “requested MABAS card 8132 activation at the box alarm level.”
The release noted that “upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke coming from a metal barn. A full 360-degree assessment of the building was conducted, revealing bales of hay on fire against one of the structure’s walls. The fire had not yet extended to the barn itself.”
Within three minutes of their arrival, firefighters “initiated a rapid fire attack, successfully extinguishing all visible flames,” the release read.
A rural water operation was set up with water tender shuttles and drafting operations, the release noted.
“The hay bales continued to smolder, requiring further efforts to prevent rekindling. Crews began breaking apart the bales to ensure they cooled down properly,” the release continued.
The release further noted that the owner of the barn was contacted and arrived at the scene to assist the firefighters. Using machinery, the owner removed hay bales from the barn, spreading them out in a nearby field.
“The fire investigation revealed cause of fire to be spontaneous combustion of stored hay bales. Spontaneous combustion of hay bales occurs when organic materials, such as moist hay, decompose and produce heat,” the release stated.
“Fire crews noticed similar hay bales stored in two other nearby structures. Investigation found a number of those bales had also begun the process of spontaneous combustion,” the release added.
No injuries were reported during the incident, the release noted.
Fort Atkinson Fire Department assets participate in a holiday parade. File photo/Kim McDarison.
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