South Dakota — just west of Hawarden, Iowa — A machine shed and its contents were destroyed in a fire fought by four fire departments on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 near Hawarden.
According to Hawarden Fire Chief Jon Strong, about 9:20 AM, the Hawarden Fire Department was called to the report of a barn fire on Gerald Van Wyk’s place at 48346 301st Street, across the Big Sioux River into South Dakota, about four miles west of the north side of Hawarden.
The chief says the fire department saw a machine shed fully engulfed as they approached the scene. He says they went into defensive mode, dousing the other buildings on the place to keep them from burning as they put out the fire.
Strong says no injuries were reported, but damage was extensive. He says the contents of the building, including old cars, a combine, a tractor, a skid loader, and more were a total loss.
The Ireton, Alcester, and Hudson fire departments assisted on the scene.
He says the cause of the fire is undetermined but is under investigation by the South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office.
Strong says firefighters were on scene until 2 PM.
