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(UPDATE 7:45-a.m.) – Spontaneous combustion thought to be the cause of Bridgewater fire

News

July 12th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

All photos submitted to KJAN News

Spontaneous combustion of 1,000 big bales of hay is believed to be the cause of a fire in building in Bridgewater early this (Sunday) morning. Bridgewater Fire Chief Daryl Christensen told KJAN News the call about a fire at 204 W. 1st Street came in at around 12:30-a.m. The property is owned by Dennis Lundy, of Lundy Farms. Just before daylight, a construction excavator was brought-in to gain better access to, and containment of, the flames, but Christensen said once a fire of that nature starts, there’s not much that can be done.

Bridgewater Fire requested mutual aid from more than a half-dozen area fire departments, including Adair, Anita, Atlantic, Fontanelle, Greenfield, Massena, Orient and Wiota.  Numerous tanker trucks were called-in along with additional manpower. Atlantic’s aerial (or, ladder) truck was requested at 1:24-a.m.

Water was being drawn from a dry hydrant at Mormon Trail Lake, near Bridgewater. The Adair County Ambulance was also on the scene to provide fire fighter rehab. Flames were still shooting through the roof of the building, at around 4:15-a.m. By 5-a.m., most of the fire departments were released from the scene.

Chief Christensen said Bridgewater Fire crews were on the scene until around 7-a.m.