Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - One pole barn was destroyed, but four other structures were saved in a 2:33 a.m. fire on CR 100S, west of CR 800W, near Mentone.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Mentone Fire Department. MFD Chief Butch Warren said that thanks to the cooperation of the other responding fire departments, four other structures at the location - two of which were within 20 feet of the burning pole barn and one of which was full of flammable insecticide - were spared from the fire. One other building did sustain minor scorching. The property is owned by Creighton Brothers.
MFD received full assists (tankers, manpower and engines) from Burket, Atwood and Etna Green fire departments, as well as tanker assists from Warsaw and Winona Lake fire departments. About 60 firemen were on the scene.
Warren said two combines and a tractor and other farm equipment were destroyed in the fire. Two delivery trucks parked outside were pulled away from the burning structure. One was full of seed corn and was saved by firefighters. The other lost its front end to fire damage.
Damage is estimated to be at least $200,000.
