Hastings Field Fire Gets Too Close for Comfort
HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) -- Neighbors living next to a corn field in Hastings are breathing a sigh of relief after a field fire got dangerously close on Tuesday.
The fire ignited in a corn field around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday near 160th Street East and Red Wing Boulevard.
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"It started on the northern side of the field and rapidly spread across the field," said Fire Chief Mike Schutt. "When we arrived on scene, we had flames from one to 15 feet high."
Schutt says high winds caused the fire to move quickly toward seven neighboring homes in the area. One of the homes belong to Don King.
"I was sitting in the back bedroom," King said. "The window shades were closed, but I could see kind of the sun flickering. I opened the window and my trees were on fire."
King says he quickly ran outside with his garden hose and began spraying his trees. His trees are now black and the roof on his backyard playground has melted.
The fire burned several wooden fences and up to a dozen acres. Crews say the fire got as close as 15 feet from one home.
"With the strong winds that the fire travels so fast, and add in the dry conditions," Schutt said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but authorities do know it started on the north side of Red Wing Boulevard.
