2 dozen firefighters battle barn fire near Sheridan

EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP – Twenty firefighters from four local fire departments extinguished a barn fire east of Sheridan Wednesday evening.

The Sheridan Fire Department, along with automated mutual aid from the Stanton Community Fire Department, were dispatched to 5834 S. Town Hall Road at 7:36 p.m.

According to Montcalm County tax records, the property is owned by Jamie and Latisha Tissue of Sheridan.

Information from Montcalm County Central Dispatch initially indicated that a barn containing 250 bales of straw was on fire. When the first firefighter arrived on scene, he reported that the barn was fully engulfed in flames.

“With the information of over 200 bales of straw, it was very likely that a large amount of water would be needed to put out the fire, so we called in mutual aid for the Carson City and Crystal Township fire departments,” said Brandon Stowell of the Sheridan Fire Authority. “The Stanton Fire was already on its way.”

Stowell said a fire hydrant at the Sheridan Village water tower was serving as a filling station for rescuers who were pouring water at the scene.

The barn was approximately 80 feet by 50 feet, and when fire crews arrived, the structure had already collapsed and did not appear to have as much straw as originally reported. About 25 firefighters from four fire departments responded to the scene, assisted by Montcalm County Central Dispatch and Montcalm County Emergency Services.

“The crews did a great job extinguishing the flames, confining the fire to the barn and securing nearby exposures,” Stowell said. “We have spoken to the owners who were there at the time of the fire and believe we have determined how the fire may have started. It is unknown whether the barn or its contents are insured.”

There were no injuries reported. It is estimated that more than 17,000 gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters left the scene at approximately 9:17 p.m.