Photo by R.R. Best On March 1st at 5:35 p.m., the Sullivan Fire Department was dispatched to a machine shed fire located near County Road 1200 East, between County Roads 1600N and 1500N. Upon arrival, the 600 square foot machine shed containing hay, straw, and farming equipment was found to be fully-engulfed. The fire departments of Bethany, Lovington, Arthur, and Windsor were called to assist. Defensive operations were deployed to contain any potential spread to the fire due the large amount of hay and straw, winds, and dry surrounding growth. No casualties were reported. The property is owned by Dennis Helmuth, with Aaron Bontrager the tenant. The Sullivan Police Department as well as the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department closed the roadways until the scene was cleared and released by SFD at 9:07 p.m. Captain Tyler Wright of the Sullivan Fire Department reminds the public to, “Refrain from burning brush and weeds during high winds and call 911.”
