By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
December 17, 2008 - 09:51 a.m. EST

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Amy Joles

Caro, Akron, Fairgrove and Unionville fire departments responded to this blaze at a barn, located at Gilford and Graf roads. The departments cleared the scene in just over two hours.

INDIANFIELDS TOWNSHIP — Firefighters from four different departments battled strong winds and cold temperatures Monday afternoon as they extinguished flames in a large metal outbuilding.

The Caro Fire Department was called to the barn blaze at 2479 W. Gilford Rd., near Graf Road, at 2:22 p.m.

“A woodstove on the west end of the building ignited the fire,” said Caro Cheif Dave Mattlin.

The structure, owned by Lewis Sayers, was located directly behind a house and near a mobile home. Mattlin said the departments were concerned about the fire spreading to the home, but managed to contain it.

Several flammable items inside the 40x60 building required caution in battling the fire, including gas cylinders used for cutting torches. A vehicle and different types of oil were also located in the building.

“There were a variety of tools inside,” said Mattlin. “The loss was extensive as far as the building and contents.”

The fire was deemed accidental and is not under investigation. Mattlin said the owner did not have insurance on the structure.

Fairgrove, Akron and Unionville fire departments assisted Caro firefighters at the scene. Deputies from the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Department assisted in directing traffic.

The Tuscola County Road Commission also helped out by applying sand to the roadway in order to give traction to the vehicles where water had spilled and quickly frozen over.

Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.