Sutherland, Iowa — The Sutherland Fire Department was called out on Monday evening, February 22, 2021.
According to Sutherland Fire Chief Mark Shriver, at about 7:50 p.m., the Sutherland Fire Department was called to the report of a barn fire at 6671 Highway 10 Boulevard, a mile and a half south of Sutherland and a half-mile east.
The chief says the farmer had ground some hay into the barn that day. He says he thinks a piece of aluminum wire went thru the grinder and caused sparks. He says when the farmer opened the doors, there was smoke. He says they called the fire department and then started using a front-end loader to carry the pile outside. He says the farmer did find the hot spot. He says they used minimal water to extinguish it.
Shriver says no injuries were reported to people, pets, or livestock.
The Sutherland firefighters were assisted by Calumet firefighters but Shriver says they didn’t end up needing to come, but he wanted to make sure they had enough help if it was truly a barn fire.
Chief Shriver reports that there was minimal damage to the hay and no structural damage.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for about half an hour.
