Oct. 15--SHERMAN TOWNSHIP
-- The Huron River Joint Fire District handled a grain tube that caught on fire Saturday.
Twelve firefighters in five trucks were dispatched at 1:52 p.m. to a possible grain bin on fire at 6041 Bismark Road.
"When we arrived, we found that there was a grain tube approximately 150 feet above the ground that plugged and caught on fire. It's part of a system that moves grain from silo to silo," assistant Chief Doug Long said.
"We had about five to six firefighters climb the ladder system for this large grain silo set-up, hoisting (a handline) fire hose up to the platform near where the fire was located," he said.
Chief Tom Beck explained just how precarious it was for the crew. He said firefighters dumped a few hundred gallons of water on the blaze, but they first had to station themselves on small "step-offs," or little platforms, as they brought the hose with them.
"They were securing the hose as they made the climb," Beck said.
After securing the hose in several places on the ladder, the firefighters charged the line.
"(We) proceeded to extinguish the fire, eventually flushing the burnt grain and dust out the bottom. It took about one hour to complete the extinguishment and secure the scene -- taking in account the several minutes it took just to get our men and equipment up there to deal with it," Long said.
Firefighters returned to the station at 3:25 p.m.
The exact extent of the damage is unknown. Beck said most of the damage probably was to the grain and dust.
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