Fire threatens houses, shops

Fire crews from Pullman, Colton and Albion Aug. 16 kept a grass and timber fire on Story Road south of Ewartsville from spreading to three houses and two shop buildings which were threatened. Pullman District 12 Fire Capt. Mike Walker said the fire had advanced to the side of one of the shop buildings and was within 10 feet of one of the houses when they arrived.

A pump building and one parked vehicle were destroyed by the fire. The pump building was ablaze when the first fire crew arrived on the scene.

Walker said the fire was started by sparks from a grinder which was being used to grind nails in railroad ties. The sparks ignited nearby tall grass.

Approximately 10 trucks responded to the scene from District 12, Colton District 14, Pullman City and Albion.

Crews received the alarm at 3:50 p.m. Some volunteers remained on the scene until after 9 p.m. Walker said they had to wait for some of the trees burning in a timber grove to fall. The volunteers stayed clear of the grove because of the hazard of trees falling.