345 SE 5th, Madras, OR 97741 | 541.475.2275
Fire destroys farm shop
On Jericho Lane
Firefighters tackle a shop fire the Jericho Lane.
A large storage workshop on Jericho Lane, near Bear Drive, was totally destroyed in a fire which broke out around 3 p.m., Jan. 25.
According to Fire Chief Jay Olson, the cause of the fire that consumed the tall 70-by-45-foot shop, has been narrowed down to two possibilities.
"It is believed to have been either a plasma cutter or a mercury vapor light," Olson said, adding, "The fire extended outside of the shop to ignite a Ford pickup truck, which was damaged."
The building, owned by Jim Hanson, was also used for storage, and estimates listed losses of $65,000 for the building, and $250,000 for its contents.
The shop was one of several outbuildings on the property. "There were above-ground fuel tanks and a house nearby, and a lot of farm equipment that firefighters were able to save," Olson said.
The area was ringed with pens for several horses, who were not harmed during the fire.
Olson said Jefferson County Fire Department responded with 22 firefighters, two fire engines, one ladder truck -- which was used due to the height of the building -- two fire tenders and a command vehicle.
Mutual aid included two fire tenders from Crooked River Ranch and a command vehicle from Redmond Fire Department.
Firefighters remained on scene until 6:30 p.m.