Minor damages in pole barn fire

By Allison Scarbrough. OPC Editor.

BENONA TWP. — Firefighters from five area departments quickly extinguished a fire in the attic of a pole barn Sunday evening, Sept. 20, at Son’s Disposal, saving the building.

No one was injured in the blaze, which was toned out at 7:21 p.m., said Shelby-Benona Fire Chief Jack White. The scene at 3510 S. 34th Ave. was cleared at 10 p.m., White said.

The pole barn “can still be used, but it will need to be repaired,” White said. Some contents were also damaged, the chief said.

In addition to Shelby-Benona, firefighters from Grant Township, Ferry Township, Hart and Hesperia were called to the scene, White said.

“Someone saw smoke coming from the eaves and called the fire department,” White said. The cause is believed to be an “electrical problem,” he said. White said the building is insured.

A call to Son’s Disposal Monday morning, Sept. 21, was not immediately returned, but the business’ voicemail greeting stated that they “are slightly behind due to repairs” and “anything that is not done today will be finished tomorrow.”

As firefighters were on scene of the pole barn fire, another structure fire was toned out at 5749 Okemos Trail in Lake Tahoe. Montague Fire Department was dispatched to that location, because Grant Township personnel were at the pole barn fire, Grant Township Fire Chief Roland Brooks said. No damage occurred to the trailer involved in that fire, which was contained to the outside electrical system, Brooks said. The fuse box and meter burned up, causing a power outage to two homes.