Shed fire destroys equipment

The Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to Doug Langel's property, at 35713 C-30 at 7:26 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered a single-story wood frame shed with flames coming from the building, according to a press release from Fire Chief David Schipper.

Firefighters slowed the fire with three hoses and then entered the shed and extinguished the blaze using about 7,000 gallons of water.

The Oyens Fire Department was called in to provide additional water and staff.

"Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to another machine shed building located 3 feet from the shed that was on fire," Schipper said.

Because the buildings are so close together putting out the fire before it spread helps firefighters determine its cause and origin, he said.

After an investigation, the fire was ruled accidental.

"The most probable cost for this fire was an electrical problem with a four-wheel ATV," Schipper said. "The fire spread from the ATV to surrounding combustibles into the roof assembly of the building."

Firefighters were on scene about two hours and the fire chief checked back twice in the night to make sure there were no hot spots.

"I was back there again a quarter to seven this morning and everything was cooled down and should be fine until insurance adjusters get there," Schipper said.

A four-wheeler, two small tractors, a skid loader, lumber and other items inside the building were lost in the fire.

The machine shed is also considered a total loss and will have to be torn down.

Damage estimates could be more than $70,000, Schipper said.

It was a big help to have Oyens Fire Department on scene, especially since some Le Mars firefighters were providing medical assistance for the motocross event at the Plymouth County Fair at the time of the fire, Schipper said.

"That's why we have mutual aid which is a great asset to everyone," he said. "Team work, team work, team work."