Man injured when grass burn goes out of control
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 02:31 p.m., April 7, 2008
Updated 02:31 p.m., April 7, 2008
One man was injured following a structure fire ignited by a controlled burn Sunday afternoon.
The fire was called in at 2:29 p.m. Sunday.
Myrl Fager, of 1623 Road N, owns the outbuilding and received burns to his hands, Tom Andrews, Emporia Fire marshal, said this morning. A shift commander vehicle, two county engines and a county tanker responded to the fire, which started out as a controlled grass burn. The outbuilding was destroyed. Damage is estimated at $2,000 for the building and $1,000 for the contents.
Andrews said wind was a factor in the fire burning out of control. He offered advice for people before they attempt controlled burns.
“They need to take note of the wind conditions,” he said. “And they should at all times keep any grass near buildings cut very short. They should have on hand means of controlling the fire themselves, be it water or just enough people.”