Multi day, Multi State Hay fire upstate

[Monty 35]

A little bit of old news but I thought it was interesting .... From the Evening Tribune

Two days, 100 people and a half-million gallons of water later, and hay fire still burns near Troupsburg: Cause believed to be spontaneous combustion

By JEN CARPENTER - Staff Writer

TROUPSBURG - Spontaneous combustion is believed to be the cause of a massive fire - one requiring 100 people and a half million gallons of water to control - that started in Troupsburg Sunday night and continues to burn this morning.

“Spontaneous combustion was probably the most likely cause,” said Mike Wilson, deputy fire coordinator for Steuben County.

Wilson said there had been no injuries, and he expected the fire to be completely out by 5 p.m. Monday. However, Mile Gilman, Steuben County Office of Emergency Services fire service aide, said firefighters are still working to extinguish the fire this morning.

“As hay bales go, they're going to be up there a couple of days off and on,” he said.

Wilson said the hay was baled one month ago, and was thought to be adequately dried out at that time. The owner of the hay, 1364 Leonard Rd., is Tommy Zartmen of Pennsylvania.

Gilman said the fire was called in at about 9:33 p.m. Sunday. He said the amount of hay burning was substantial.

“I would say at least 700 bales are burning,” he said.

Several fire departments responded to the scene, including Troupsburg, Rexville, Greenwood, Jasper, Woodhull, Canisteo, South Hornell, Addison, Andover, Whitesville and Knoxville and Harrison Valley from Pennsylvania. Cameron and Gang Mills firefighters provided standby for other departments, and Troupsburg ambulance also was on the scene.

“It takes a lot of people, a lot of equipment to put it out and lots of hours of time,” Wilson said.

Wilson estimated at least 100 people responded to the scene. Troupsburg General Store provided drinks and food for those working.

Wilson said Class A foam was used on the hay, as well as an extremely large amount of water.

“I'm guessing that by the time we're done, we will have used well over half a million gallons of water,” he said.

A bulldozer was brought to the scene Monday, and was used to move burning hay to a pile of extinguished hay. Wilson said the fire investigation team also was called to the scene.

“There's a great deal of value here with this amount of hay,” he added.

Wilson said the hay was going to be used for mulch for mushroom farms and other uses. He said a large loader, valued at $65,000, burned in the fire.