Bale fire believed to have been set

A fire that destroyed 82 large round hay bales early Sunday appears to have been intentionally set, Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said.

Rural Fire District No. 1 firefighters were called about 1:45 a.m. to the intersection of Donmyer and Mentor roads, where the fire was so advanced it couldn’t be stopped, Kochanowski said.

The bales, which were owned by Dennis Schwartz, burned until about 4:25 a.m., he said.

Kochanowski said the fire chief of rural district No. 1 reported two areas where it appeared the fire had been intentionally set. He said the headlights of a vehicle also had been seen in the area.

Total loss in the suspected arson was estimated at $16,400.

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