October 21, 2024

Spontaneous combustion is thought to be culprit of large weekend hay shed fire

By CALEB NELSON

A hay shed that caught fire in the early morning hours Sunday on the south edge of Bridgewater still had small flames showing late Sunday afternoon. Nine fire departments were needed to put the fire out. (Photo by)

BRIDGEWATER — The Bridgewater Fire Department received mutual aid from several other departments in responding to a hay shed fire just outside Bridgewater over the weekend.

Bridgewater Fire Chief Daryl Christensen said the call came in at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday for the 200 block of W. First St. in Bridgewater.

“The hay shed was fully engulfed when we got on scene. Flames were coming up through the roof and out one of the side walls,” Christensen said. “It had been burning for awhile. It burnt through the entire building.”

Christensen said that due to the nature of the fire, he knew it would require multiple departments and more water in order to control it.

“We arrived on scene, I had Fontanelle paged, then Greenfield, Massena, and then we decided were going to have Atlantic bring their aerial down and we knew we were going to need more water, so we called Anita, Wiota, Adair and Orient,” Christensen said. “Those aerials only have about a 250-gallon tank in there. That’s about enough to charge the line. After that, you better have a ton of water.”

Crews began clearing the scene at around 4 a.m. and Bridgewater remained until around 7 a.m.

Christensen thinks that the hay shed was ignited by spontaneous combustion.

He’s grateful for the cooperation of area departments in putting out the blaze which he believes will burn for days.

“We all worked like a well oiled machine. Everybody does what has to be done and we all work together and get it done,” Christensen said.