Fire crews battle large blaze at rural Wellman property; no injuries reported

WELLMAN — A fast-moving blaze tore through a rural Washington County property Tuesday evening, drawing multiple emergency agencies and a public plea to keep roads clear as crews battled “a large fire.”

The shop and home of Dale and Gail Tinnes at 1745 Hemlock Avenue ignited shortly before dusk. Washington County dispatch received the first report at about 4:29 p.m., noting that “a machine shed on the property was on fire with a semitruck inside.”

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The log also reported nearby hazards, including “a camper, trucks, a house and garage,” and added, “Unsure if anyone is inside the shed. Something did blow up.”

Washington Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Office urged residents to avoid the area as responders converged on the scene.

“Please stay clear of the area of Hemlock Ave. between 170th St. and 180th St. for a large fire,” officials wrote, adding that “Emergency Services are utilizing the roadway for resource distribution and we will advise when the roadway is back open. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

Crews contained the blaze and confirmed everyone on the property was safe. No injuries were reported, and although the machine shed and its contents burned, the home did not appear to be a loss. Authorities later reported that all occupants were accounted for and the fire was extinguished.

Officials did not immediately release a cause, but the incident left neighbors shaken as smoke and emergency traffic filled the otherwise quiet countryside.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com