At 0920 this morning, the Clark County Fire Corp was dispatched to a machine shed fire in rural Clark County on County Road 267 by the Clark County Dispatch Center. The Clark County Fire Department responded, sending their engine, a tanker-tenders and the City of Kahoka equipment truck. As the units responded, heavy smoke was seen to the south of Kahoka and mutual aid assistance was requested from Wayland Fire Department.
On arrival, a 45×95 foot, four-bay machine shed was found fully engulfed. The homeowner reported that there were multiple vehicles and farm implements in the shed. Initially, hazardous conditions existed as propane tanks in the machine shed were blowing off pressure, causing fire geysers. The initial attack quickly cooled off the tanks, and they were removed safely. Because of the intense heat from the fire, firefighters attacked the fire with two hose lines from the yard, before being able to move closer to the structure. Hose teams attacked the fire from multiple sides to knock down the blaze. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire, but not before the structure’s roof collapsed. Despite the best efforts of the volunteer firefighters, the shed and all equipment and vehicles were a total loss. Fortunately, favorable winds kept the firegrounds clear of smoke and there were no injuries, and the fire did not spread to their nearby home.
The Clark County Fire Department wishes to thank Wayland Fire Department, Lewis County REC and the Clark County Dispatch for their presence and assistance, as well as the volunteer firefighters who responded to the call.
Firefighter Tanner Harrison starts initial attack on the 45×95 foot machine shed.
Exterior walls were pulled down to aid in fire suppression. Fuel and tires were difficult to fully extinguish until the walls were removed.
