Three hogs are dead and the fate of two others is pending after Monday’s destructive fire near Allen.
Fire was reported in the 1000 block of US Highway 56. Allen-Admire Fire Chief Tharon Mott says the initial call was for a small brush fire, but the blaze had spread to a nearby hog barn and was encroaching on an equipment shed. It had also spread into a tree line and several nearby brush piles.
Mott says the hog barn was completely engulfed in flames when crews started arriving on scene, forcing him and other firefighters to do their best to keep the equipment shed from catching fire as first priority. Firefighters were successful in doing that, but they were unable to save three pigs in the barn. Two other pigs were injured, and Mott says a veterinarian will determine whether they can be treated soon.
There were no injuries to people.
Winds were strong throughout the firefighting effort, gusting out of the south at around 40 mph — pushing the blaze away from the residence but pushing it into the tree line and brush piles while making the barn fire run “very hot.” Mott says most of the trees were dead and easily flammable, but a nearby neighbor brought equipment so the trees could be pushed over, piled up and extinguished. Having said that, Mott says the trees could smolder for some time.
The fire also severely damaged a power pole, apparently causing three small power outages near Allen. Evergy will continue its work Tuesday.
1 pm Monday: Barn fire near Allen kills three hogs
Three hogs died in a destructive barn fire near Allen on Monday morning.
The fire was reported in the 1000 block of US Highway 56, or less than a mile northwest of Allen, shortly after 10 am. Lyon County Deputy Jody Meyers says early indications are the unnamed landowner did a small trash burn Saturday and wet down the embers, but the fire rekindled and destroyed a barn. Several hogs escaped, but three perished. There is currently no word of injuries to any people.
It took around two hours to get the main fire under control, However, the fire got into a tree line and jumped a small creek north of the residence so there are numerous hot spots to put out in windy conditions. Wind speeds were approaching 20 mph before 9 am but jumped to around 40 mph by 10 am and stayed at around that speed throughout the firefighting effort.
Numerous emergency departments were dispatched to respond, including Allen-Admire, Americus and Miller fire crews. Dunlap and Reading could not respond. Emporia and Council Grove were canceled before arriving on scene. Lyon County deputies and Evergy also responded, with Evergy handling as many as three power outages that developed near the fire site.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
10:45 am Monday: All north Lyon County fire departments, Dunlap Fire part of response to reported barn and brush fire
All north Lyon County fire departments have been dispatched to a barn and brush fire.
Firefighters from Allen-Admire, Americus, Miller and Reading were toned out to the 1000 block of US Highway 56, just northwest of Allen, after 10 am. Dunlap Fire was asked to respond shortly after 10:30 am. Lyon County deputies and Evergy are also responding.
Other details are currently pending. Wind speeds picked up considerably between 9 and 10 am from under 20 mph to gusting around 40 mph.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
