Three other departments were already on the scene when ‘Busco crews arrived, but extra hands were needed to help remove a large amount of burning hay from the burnt out structure.

Churubusco units cleared the scene at approximately 9:30 PM. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

Churubusco fire crews help at a barn fire on Hiler Road just outside of Columbia City

Assistant Chief Wayne Krider arrived to find a large pole barn showing heavy smoke and some fire out of the east end of the structure and immediately requested assistance from LaOtto fire and soon thereafter Albion for manpower and water.

Crews found heavy smoke and heat inside the structure which was full of equipment and several dump trucks.

About an hour into the fire it was decided to bring up Columbia City Fire’s ladder 107 to assist with extinguishing the hot spots in the peak of the building.

Crews remained on the scene for several hours, no one was injured and the fire remains under investigation.

First arriving units called for an area tanker response and upon further investigation many of the tankers were turned back.

Churubusco, Huntertown and Arcola units handled the exinguishment and the delapidated barn received moderate fire damage and heavy water damage.

The fire was brought under control in less than 20 minutes, no one was injured in the fire.

Huntertown fire was the first due department and upon arrival found a large barn heavily engulfed and immediately went into an exerior attack mode.

Churubusco sent a pump, tank and grass rig with manpower to assist.

You can read more and see more photos at Huntertownfire.com

First arriving Arcola units reported a fully engulfed barn with multiple exposures and immediately requested a northwest area tanker response.

Units that reported to the fire along with Churubusco were Arcola, Aboite Township, Washington Twp. (Allen Co.), Union Twp. (Whitley Co.), Huntertown and Northeast Fire (Allen Co.)

Many other departments from Allen County were then put into a standby mode in the event another major incident occurred in the northwest part of the county.

At time of press the fire was still undetermined.

Some farm animals were seriously injured or perished in the fire, but damage to the barn was minimal.

Churubusco units cleared at 9:30 a.m.

First arriving units found heavy smoke and flames billowing from the barn, which began to ignite the garage attached to the home.

Crews focused their attention on the barn first because of exposure problems including fuel tanks nearby.

Other crews then entered the home to check for and extinguish any extension that had occurred. They did not find any extension and moved to the garage where the attic was found to be fully engulfed.

Units from Churubusco, Noble Townshihp, Avilla, Albion, LaOtto, Huntertown and Thorncreek all responded. Whitley County Medic 21 was on the scene and reported no injuries. Noble County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with blocking the road and directing assisting tankers to the scene.