A large shed used as a wood mill was destroyed in a fire northwest of Wallaceburg on Thursday afternoon, according to Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services.
Crews from Stations 3 in Wallaceburg, 2 in Chatham and 5 in Tupperville responded to the fire at 5783 Stewart Line at approximately 1:42 p.m. on May 14. Responding apparatus included 3-11, 3-12, 5-12 and 2-14, with 10 firefighters attending the scene.
Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved 24-by-30-foot shed with a collapsed roof. The structure was being used as a wood mill and contained a large amount of wood both inside and around the building.
Fire officials said the blaze spread to a nearby smaller woodshed, but crews were able to quickly bring that fire under control.
Due to the collapse and intense fire conditions, firefighters used a defensive attack strategy while a water shuttle operation supported suppression efforts. Officials said the fire was deep-seated, making extinguishment difficult and lengthy.
Crews remained at the scene for about two and a half hours. No injuries were reported.
According to Chatham-Kent Police Service, police and firefighters were dispatched to the property on Stewart Line after receiving reports that a wooden barn had caught fire.
Police said the cause of the blaze remains unknown, but investigators do not consider it suspicious.
CK EMS and police also attended the scene.
