Area fire departments fight barn fire northeast of Charles City

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Area fire departments responded to a fire at a Windfall Avenue acreage Tuesday afternoon that destroyed a metal barn.

Colwell, Charles City and Floyd departments were called out beginning at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to 1785 Windfall, about 6 miles northeast of Charles City.

Property owner Jeremy Evans said he had sprayed weeds about a week ago and Tuesday morning was burning off the dead plant material. He stopped when the wind began to pick up later in the morning, but apparently some material remained burning and spread to the barn.

He said he had been mowing and went to get some gas, and when he got back he could see a door to the barn smoldering and he called for the Colwell Fire Department. Soon after that the Charles City and Floyd fire departments were also dispatched.

Evans said there wasn’t much in the barn.

Evans, himself a former firefighter, and his father, Randy Evans, help run the Forces and Fire organization which helps organize deer hunting events for disabled veterans, law enforcement and firefighters.