A fast-moving field fire fueled by high winds destroyed a Belle Center area farm home Monday afternoon, March 9, after burning debris ignited the structure’s attic.
There were no physical injuries to residents, firefighters or livestock, according to preliminary fire reports.
Although damage estimates for the two-story home were not immediately available, Chief Jason Johns of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department said the residence is believed to be a total loss, noting that more than half of the roof was burned or destroyed and the structure sustained extensive smoke and water damage throughout.
The home’s occupants — two adults and two children — saw the fire approaching through the field and safely evacuated, Johns said.
Several acres of farmland were burned, although an estimate of the total acreage involved was not immediately available.
The home is owned by Jordan Madeline, according to Logan County Auditor records.
Johns responded about 12:40 p.m. to a field fire at 671 Township Road 51 East in Rushcreek Township.
Firefighters from the Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department were paged for mutual aid about 12:46 p.m., along with crews from the Rushcreek Township Volunteer Fire Department and the BMRT Ambulance District.
Johns, who was first to arrive, said he attempted to reach the head of the fast-moving field fire.
“I tried to get to the head of the field fire, not the sides, and a couple of times almost got stuck,” Johns said.
Johns said he eventually ran out of water before additional departments arrived on scene. In the meantime, strong winds quickly pushed the fire to the residence at 466 State Route 273 East.
According to responding departments, the first arriving engine extinguished a portion of the field fire before crews began an interior attack on the structure, where flames were visible along the roofline near the gutters. Huntsville Assistant Chief Weikart assumed command of the structure fire.
Additional crews assisted with fire attack and water supply operations, while the Bellefontaine Fire Departmentdrafted water from a nearby creek to maintain supply for firefighters battling the blaze.
Also assisting were the McGuffey Volunteer Fire Company, Kenton Professional Firefighters Local 563, deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County Emergency Management Agency.
Firefighters remained on scene for more than three hours.
Investigators determined the fire originated from a trash-burning barrel located in an adjacent field.
Ohio’s seasonal spring burn ban is in effect from March 1 through May 31, prohibiting most outdoor burning between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily under the Ohio Revised Code. The restriction includes burning brush, leaves, yard waste, trash and other debris, when wildfire risk is highest.
