UPDATE:
Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges has confirmed the cause of the fire that destroyed a hay barn and approximately 150 large hay bales on the east side of the City of Milford has been ruled as an arson fire. That determination followed an investigation by Fire Investigators with the Geary County Fire Department. An investigation is continuing by the Geary County Fire Department and Geary County Sheriff’s Department.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 5:48 .m. Wednesday. Milford City Fire and Geary County Fire responded to the scene and Fort Riley Fire was asked to assist at the fire scene with water support since there were no fire hydrants in the immediate area.
The barn was filled with large bales of hay and alfalfa that were on fire when units arrived on scene. Firefighters and others were able to remove a tractor and implement away from the open sided building. There were seven other out buildings in the immediate area that were endangered due to embers from the fire being blown.
The fire was brought under control about 8:30 p.m. Milford firefighters remained on scene throughout the evening, and additional units were called back to the scene about 11:30 p.m. due to embers starting one of the out buildings on fire. That blaze was extinguished with minor damage reported. Fire units remained on scene until 9 a.m. Thursday.
Damage estimates are still being determined. The property was owned by Gabe Shandy of Milford.
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Geary County, Fort Riley and Milford firefighters responded to a fire about 5:50 p.m. Wednesday on the east side of Milford.
According to Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges the blaze involved a hay barn containing approximately 150 large hay bales. There were no injuries.The cause and damage estimate are not yet known. The property was owned by Gabe Shandy.
Milford firefighters remained on scene through the night monitoring the situation. Most units left about 10 p.m. but some had to return about 11:30 p.m. after a nearby small shed caught on fire. Berges indicated there was minor damage to that building.
The fire occurred as gusty winds swept across the county.
