April 10--The conditions are ideal for unexpected fires, as one custodian in Morris found out Monday.
As result of the low humidity and strong winds, a small fire broke out in the plants and brush outside First National Bank in Morris along Division Street in Morris shortly after 6:30 p.m. Monday.
The bank's custodian was seen out in front of the bank, trying to put out the small blaze with his mop bucket and broom. He tried dousing the fire by pouring the water from his mop bucket onto the smoke. He quickly ran out of water, however, and then started beating the bushes with his broom in an attempt to stop the small fire.
Smoke was seen eminating from several bushes, and a small flame could be seen from at least one of the bushes.
An engine from the Morris Fire Protection District soon arrived at the seen, and firefighters then put out the flare up.
The National Weather Service in Chicago issued a red flag warning for low relative humidity and strong winds Monday from 12 to 7 p.m. A red flag warning was again issued for Grundy County from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"A No Burn Order is in effect for all of Coal City and surrounding areas in Grundy County," said Coal City Fire Chief James Sheldon, who watched earlier Monday his firefighters battle an explosive fire that caused $45,000 in Coal City. "Please watch for these when weather is dry and warm."
Copyright 2012 - Morris Daily Herald, Ill.
