Cause of fire ‘undetermined’
Staff writer
The cause of a fire that consumed 300 acres of grassland Jan. 31 a mile east of Lincolnville has been ruled “undetermined.”
Fire marshal Chris Mercer said he was unable to determine whether the fire was set or accidental.
“Two things I cannot rule out are arson and carelessly discarding smoking material,” Mercer said. “Low humidity, high temperatures, or heavy winds could ignite smoking material.”
Firefighters from Lincolnville, Durham, Tampa, Ramona, Lost Springs, Marion, and Herington were on scene nearly four hours. Tampa ambulance was sent to stand by during the fire.
The fire started immediately next to the edge of 290th Rd. about a half a mile east of Wagon Wheel Rd. The property is owned by Louis Kaiser.
It threatened a home on 300th Rd. but firefighters were able to avert it from reaching the house.
Firefighters from Lincolnville, Lost Springs, and Marion returned the next day and spent an hour dousing rekindled embers.