By Ryan Carlson
Lyons News – October 11, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 25, 2013
A swather caught fire Monday on 27 Rd between Ave. R and Ave. S. Owner, Harold Hester of Hutchinson was operating the machine when the fire started. Hester reported seeing fire on the straw behind the machine then noticed fire on the header. Hester attempted to smother the fire by driving the header into greener straw but was unable to extinguish the flames. Hester escaped the machine before the fuel tank ignited and exploded. “Flames shot ten feet in the air,” Hester said.
Sterling Fire Department, Little River Fire Department and Lyons Fire Department arrived at the scene at approximately 4:40 p.m. John Wagerle, member of the Sterling Fire Department said the fire was under control at about 5:50 p.m.
“We don’t know yet if it was an electrical problem with the swather or a bearing problem,” Hester said. Though a good portion of the field was burned, the fire was contained and no one was injured.
Another fire was reported involving a building at 740 15th Road about 6 miles north of Lyons.
There was a fire reported on Wednesday at 2 p.m. of a fire at 82nd and Huntsville Road South of Sterling, however the fire was put out by the farmers before they needed assistance.
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