NewsTribune
MARSEILLES, Ill. — Fire killed two dozen hogs and destroyed a large machine shed-like building that housed office space, storage and a hog operation Friday night between Marseilles and Wedron.
The cause was undetermined as of 8 p.m., but Marseilles fire chief Mick Garrison said the fire originated in the hog farrowing area.
Firefighters were called before sunset Friday as a smoke column that was visible from Marseilles rose from the property of David Myer at 3216 E. 23rd Road, according to Garrison.
Firefighters arrived at the building near Route 71 to find the interior of the building fully involved in fire. Firefighters from Serena, Naplate, Seneca and eventually Newark were summoned to provide water, equipment and manpower.
While it was a metal building, there was plenty of flammable material, including straw, dividers between stalls, etc. Garrison said firefighters had to fight the fire defensively from the outside, because the interior was engulfed in fire.
Marseilles sent four trucks, Serena sent three and Seneca, Naplate and Newark one each.
Copyright 2012 News Tribune, La Salle, Illinois
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