Area fire crews responded to a pair fires around Emporia late Saturday morning and early Saturday afternoon.
The first fire was reported around 11:35 am at 3100 Road G, just over six miles northwest of Emporia, for a grass fire. Americus and Allen Admire firefighters responded to the call.
Full details are currently pending, however, Americus Fire Chief Bill Harmon tells KVOE News there were no injuries and the fire did not impact any structures.
Roughly an hour and half later, Olpe, Hartford/Neosho Rapids and Emporia firefighters were called to 334 Road R, a little over 18 miles south of Emporia, for a reported structure fire. According to Olpe Fire Chief Wade Schmidt, the property owner was working on fencing around a new livestock barn when sparks from the fence work ignited a hay bale with the fire reportedly spreading to the structure.
Schmidt says the landowner had the fire under control upon firefighters’ arrival. Schmidt says Olpe crews soaked the remaining smoldering hay to prevent a rekindle and checked the barn for any further extension. Schmidt says the barn suffered “minimal damage” and no injuries were reported to humans or livestock in the area.
