Wind hampers efforts to contain 3-barn fire near Wauconda
Firefighters worked for hours to contain a three-barn fire near Wauconda on Tuesday, and remained on the scene into the evening, wary that high winds might reignite the smoldering ruins.
Deputy Chief John Fessler of the Wauconda Fire Protection District said an old barn and shed caught fire Tuesday morning at the Golden Oaks Farm on Route 12 near Bonner Road. He said crews were called to the scene at about 11:30 a.m. and discovered heavy smoke billowing from inside the barn. Strong winds caused the fire the spread to two other barns, one on each side of the barn where the fire originated, fire officials said.
Officials immediately upgraded the fire to a second alarm, he said, because of a lack of hydrants in the area. The fire was later upgraded to a fourth alarm to bring water tankers from fire districts across Lake and northern Cook counties as well as southern Wisconsin.
"The problems we (are having) with this fire (are) largely due to wind, lack of water supply and being heavily involved upon arrival,"said Wauconda Division Chief Joseph Schwarz.
No people or animals were injured in the blaze, officials said.
Field worker Jim Wenzel said the barn was full of hay, which employees have been baling for months.
"We have been putting hay in our barn all summer and it all went in the fire," he said.
Daily Herald staff writer Mick Zawislak and photographer Gilbert R. Boucher II contributed to this report.
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