Melvin, Iowa — A machine shed and shop was damaged in a fire on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 near Melvin.
According to Melvin Fire Chief John McDougall, about 5:25 PM, the Melvin Fire Department was called to the report of shop on fire at Gary Vander Lee’s place at 2673 Taft Avenue, two miles east, and one and three quarter mile south of Melvin.
The chief says the fire department fought the fire by pulling tin off of the structure and spraying it with water. He says the fire had gone up the walls and into the attic of the building. Chief McDougall says they ventilated the building and doused the fire in the attic.
McDougall says no injuries were reported.
The Sanborn and May City fire departments were paged for mutual aid. He says they asked them to bring water. According to the chief, they used Sanborn’s water but didn’t need May City’s when all was said and done. He says in all they used about 10,000 gallons of water to fight the fire.
He says the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
Chief McDougall reports that there was moderate damage to the building and contents, which did include vehicles.
He says firefighters were on scene for two and a half hours.
