A late-night fire ravaged a large storage building at 2529 North Kipp Road on Sunday, destroying valuable equipment and potentially claiming the lives of several animals, according to a preliminary incident report from Fire District Five.
The blaze erupted around 11:20 p.m., startling the property owners with a distinct popping noise emanating from outside their residence. Flames quickly consumed the structure, which housed an array of tools, machinery, and vehicles. Among the items lost were a welder, compressor, tractor, side-by-side utility vehicle, lawnmower, and even a chicken coop.
Firefighters from Fire District Five arrived promptly on the scene and managed to extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading to the main residence or nearby areas. However, the damage was extensive: officials estimate property losses between $100,000 and $120,000, with an additional $100,000 in contents destroyed. The total financial impact could exceed $220,000.
The human toll was mercifully absent, with no injuries reported among residents or responders. Some chickens were rescued from the coop, but barn cats may have perished in the inferno. The exact number of animal casualties is still being assessed.
Chief Dave Turner of Fire District Five is spearheading the ongoing investigation into the fire's origin. According to authorities, the fire does not appear suspicious in nature.
