FedEx truck and chicken coop burn, no injuries reported

MT. PLEASANT - Henry County witnessed two minor fires this past weekend.

On Friday, Jan. 16, the Winfield Fire Department responded to a structural fire. Owing to an issue with a heat lamp, a chicken coop had caught fire, threatening to spread to a fence line and a stand of cedar trees.

Though some trees were singed, favorable wind conditions allowed the volunteer firefighters to extinguish the blaze with relative ease. Two fire engines responded, as well as a brush truck, rescue truck, and a water tanker.

“We take everything,” said Josh Sparrow, Winfield Fire Chief. “And if we don’t need it, we just send it back.”

It is unknown whether the cause of the blaze was an inadequate extension cord, or fighting hens knocking the lamp into flammable straw, but the matter is being investigated. No humans or chickens were injured.

The next day, Saturday Jan. 17, yielded another call, when, in neighboring Mt. Union, a FedEx truck caught fire. Again, there were no injuries. Nevertheless, Mt. Union called for assistance, and Winfield answered. In addition to a single engine from Mt. Union, Winfield brought their Heavy Rescue unit, one fire engine, a tanker, and their brush truck. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was also on scene.

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com