(Le Mars) — Fire fighters from Le Mars, Merrill, and Hinton were on the scene over the noon hour of a barn fire located about 4 miles south of Le Mars on 220th Street and near County Road K-49. The alarm was sounded at about 11:20 a.m. Upon arrival, heavy black smoke was seen coming from the structure, and within minutes the barn was totally engulfed in flames. The barn is a total loss, along with hay bales that was inside the structure, the building was also housing some construction insulation. A few chickens were lost inside the barn at the time of the fire. Strong northwest winds helped fan the flames, making it that much more difficult for fire officials to extinguish the fire. Le Mars Fire Chief, Dave Schipper says he had concerns about the other out buildings, as well as a newly constructed house that sits within close proximity and was downwind of the barn fire.
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The Le Mars Fire Chief says he was worried when fire crews first arrived on the scene.
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Schipper says the cause of the fire was a burn pile that was ignited early Monday morning.
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Fire crews were on the scene of that barn fire for three and a half hours. In addition to the Le Mars Fire and Rescue, Merrill Fire Department and Hinton Fire Department, as well as the Le Mars Ambulance, Plymouth County Sheriff’s office, Merrill Police, and the Le Mars Police Department offered additional assistance.
