(Columbus) A barn just east of Columbus was damaged by fire Tuesday afternoon. The Columbus Fire Department was dispatched to W12271 Highway 16/60 just after 5pm.
As crews headed to the scene, thick black smoke could be seen from miles away. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fully engulfed structure. Additional departments assisted as first responders were able to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby homes, but they did suffer some outside siding damage.
Over 40-thousand gallons of water was used to douse the flames. No animals were located at the property and the barn contained only hay and some other equipment. One firefighter was transported to Prairie Ridge Hospital for further evaluation.
The cause of the fire was embers from an earlier controlled burn. Columbus Fire Chief Scott Hazeltine says crews did a fabulous job protecting structures nearby and making an aggressive attack on the barn fire.
