Shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday Dubois Volunteer firemen were called to Kevin Kalb Farm on Hickory Grove Road to the report of a fire in one of the grain bins. When firefighters arrived on the scene they quickly extinguished the fire and contained it to the grain dryer. Blake Kalb stated that he spotted smoke coming from the farm and found that a grain dryer was on fire with no storage bins involved. Mr. Kalb reported that he was quick to shut off the propane which was most likely feeding the fire inside the dryer.
The DVFD reported that the dryer appeared to have extensive internal damage and will most likely be considered a total loss. the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. It is thought that the grain stopped flowing through the dryer which allowed for a hot spot where the burner is located. The dryer was operational and last seen about an hour prior to the fire call. The dryer was insured and Mr. Kalb’s insurance agent was on scene already.
Responding to the scene were 24 firemen and three trucks which were on scene for one hour and twenty minutes. Memorial Hospital ambulance services were on scene as well, no injuries were reported.
