Firefighters from Anita and Wiota, along with the assistance of a tanker truck from the Atlantic Fire Department, responded to a structure fire northeast of Wiota Saturday afternoon. The fire was in a shed located about one-half mile east of County K (690th Street), just south of Fairview Road. It was reported at around 2:20-p.m.

Anita Fire Chief Josh Peach said when they arrived on the scene, the metal building which stored more than 30 bales of hay, was fully engulfed in flames and most of the roof had already collapsed. Peach said that factor made the flames “Interesting to fight,” because the tin roof was covering the burning bales. They had to cut holes in what was left of the roof in order to access the hay. 

Prior to firefighters’ arrival, a tractor, baler and straight truck for hauling grain had been removed from inside the building, and were not damaged. The structure was a total loss. Peach says his preliminary guess was some sort of an electrical malfunction, but he would not rule out spontaneous combustion.

Peach said if you bale green hay and store it in an enclosed structure such as a metal shed, that can create a spontaneous fire. He advised crop producers and harvesters to keep an eye on your hay, and make sure it’s dry when it’s being stored.