By HOLLY GASKILL

Firefighters responded to a grain bin fire in Poneto in the early hours of Friday morning. They remained on scene for nearly four hours, containing the damage to one bin.

Just before 1 a.m. Friday, flames broke through the top of a grain bin located on County Road 300 West near 700S in Poneto. Pictured, firefighters begin to hose the flames.

The fire, located on County Road 300 West near 700 South in Poneto, was originally reported by a passerby just before midnight on Thursday. Fire departments from Poneto, Montpelier, and Chester, Liberty Center and Nottingham townships responded to the scene.

Shortly after firefighters opened the structure, a fire broke through the top of the bin. Firefighters attacked the flames with water and later began emptying the grain. 

Plumes of smoke are shown coming from the area as firefighters respond. (Photos by Holly Gaskill)

Ethan Reynolds, a Poneto firefighter, said crews worried about the wind and proximity to other larger storage bins, owned by Beavan Farms, but everything ultimately remained contained. 

As some firefighters work at the top of the grain bin, others began emptying grain from the bottom.

First responders remained on scene for nearly four hours. The fire was contained shortly after 3 a.m., and the upper half of the bin received the bulk of damage, Reynolds reported. 

Local fire departments responded to a grain bin fire in Poneto just after midnight Friday. Pictured above, firefighters begin to empty the bin.

Another firefighter on the scene advised the matter was “not too serious” since it was addressed early.

holly@news-banner.com

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