Several MFRD units, including Districts 6 and 8 and Rescue 2, along with two Rutherford County Fire and Rescue brush trucks have been battling 12-15 hay bales on fire off of Dejarnette Lane since 8:50 Saturday morning.
Crews arrived to find heavy white smoke and smoldering flames coming from the bales and immediately began trying to extinguish as much of the flames as possible.
According to Acting Shift Commander Mark McCluskey, the landowner, J.D. Spain, is now on the scene with his tractor, separating the bales. “After Mr. Spain finishes separating the bales, we will try to put out as many hotspots as we can, but some of this will be smoldering for a while,” said McCluskey.
McCluskey added, “It’s tough on these crews in this heat in their turnout gear.”
It is unclear what initially ignited the bales. More information will be released as it becomes available.
Update (12:56 pm): The Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate the hay bale fire. If anyone has information regarding this fire, they are urged to contact MFRD's Fire Marshal's Office at 893-1422 or Crime Stoppers at 893-STOP (7967).