NORTH PERTH – The mutual response of three area departments prevented a fire from getting out of hand at Harwill Farms on Jan. 26.
The Minto, Mapleton and North Perth fire departments responded to a structure fire call on Line 89 northeast of Gowanstown last Wednesday afternoon at approximately 12:30 p.m., managing to contain the blaze to a driving shed as it attempted to spread to adjacent buildings, including the barn on site. The cause was determined to be accidental after a tractor’s block heater was plugged in.
Total damages are estimated to be $400,000. Harwill Farms owner Luke Hartung commented that items lost included three tractors, a garlic planter, potato digger, an all-terrain vehicle and other tools and pieces of equipment.
“We’ve had excellent support from the community, and our neighbours have been helping with the cleanup. It’s been overwhelming, everyone reaching out.”
There were no injuries reported to anyone on site. Thirty firefighters responded to the call.
“Minto is lucky to have such great working relationships with our neighbouring departments, we wish to thank North Perth and Mapleton for their quick response and effort during extreme cold conditions,” commented Minto Fire Deputy Chief Callise Loos via press release.
(Harwill Farms/Facebook photo)
