(stock file photo)
Calumet, Iowa — A barn and its contents were destroyed in a fire on Sunday, May 12, 2024, near Calumet and five fire departments helped to put it out and prevent more damage.
According to Calumet Fire Chief Korey Dau, at about 10:15 p.m., the Calumet Fire Department was called to the report of a barn fully engulfed at 6190 470th Street, a mile and a half north and a little over a mile west of Calumet.
The chief says he saw the fire from his house four miles away. He says he estimated the flames at 60-80 feet in the air.
Dau says no injuries were reported, and there was no livestock in the barn.
The fire department was assisted by the Sutherland, Paullina, Primghar, and Larrabee fire departments and the Paullina Ambulance Squad. An excavator and its operator also assisted with overhaul after the fire was mostly out.
He says the cause of the fire is undetermined, but the chief suspects lightning may have been the cause, as there was no electricity on in the building.
Chief Dau reports that the building and its contents, including some grain wagons and a little bit of hay were destroyed in the blaze. He says there were two corn planters nearby that got partially melted by the fire. He thought one of them may be able to be fixed, but the other one looked pretty rough.
He says the 30 firefighters who responded were on the scene until at least12:30 a.m., with the last ones not leaving until 2:20 a.m.
