Massive Hay Fire in Ellinger

About 500 bales of hay burned inside a metal barn on the Banks Ranch near Ellinger Tuesday afternoon.

Fayette County 911 received a call from the ranch reporting the fire around 1:55 p.m. Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire and quickly called for assistance from Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department. Sgt. Charles Jobb of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office also responded.

Ranch workers were able to drag a few bales from the burning barn, but most of the hay was lost in the fire. Ellinger Fire Chief Larry Bartosh said the fire likely started from some hay that was baled with too much moisture. Damp hay can cause chemical reactions inside the compressed bales that raise temperatures high enough to start a fire. Ranch workers reported that they baled some hay about a month ago. No one was injured.

The Sheriff’s Office reported on two other recent fires around the County. Just before 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a hay barn on fire along US 290 near Deer Haven Road. The Ledbetter and Carmine volunteer fire departments responded, along with Deputy Joe Gonzales. The report said about 26 hay bales were lost in the fire and the barn sustained minor damage.

Then around 9:07 a.m. on Saturday, the Sheriff’s Office received another 911 call reporting a structure on fire on Valenta Road off FM 609 near Hostyn. La Grange Volunteer Fire Department responded along with Deputy Ken Kretz. The structure was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the structure that was burning. One vehicle also suffered heat damage. The cause of the fire was undetermined.