Kids With Matches Cited in Barn Fire

Source: Union-News (Springfield, MA)

ASHFIELD, MA – Children playing with matches accidentally set part of a Spruce Corner Road barn on fire, destroying part of the building and requiring the assistance of seven fire departments to put the blaze out.

The part of the barn that burned was primarily used for storage, said Ashfield Fire Chief Douglas Field. The barn is part of Edward Streeter’s dairy farm on Spruce Corner Road. Streeter, who lives half a mile away on Plainfield Road could not be reached for comment.

There were no injuries from the blaze, which was first reported at 2 p.m., said Field and no losses other than the barn. Field said firefighters removed the tractors and other items to safety.

There was no damage estimate.

It took 90 minutes to get the blaze under control, said Field, partially because firefighters ran out of water three times and had to run a long tanker shuttle to keep water coming.

“We had about 75 firefighters on the scene,” Field said.

The cause of the fire was determined by state Fire Marshal Michael Habel who interviewed the children later. The names of the children were not disclosed because they are minors.

Despite the lack of water, Field said they were able to contain the fire and not let it spread to nearby trees. There were no other buildings next to the barn and the closest house was across the street.

Plainfield, Goshen, Hawley, Conway, Buckland and Shelburne Falls fire departments assisted in fighting the blaze and manning the Ashfield station.

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