Farm shed destroyed in blaze

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SPARK: Hinds firefighters responded to the callout to a three-bay shed. PHOTO DAVE KINGSBURY
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A three-bay shed on a Hinds farm was destroyed by fire on Thursday last week.

Hinds Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Dave Kingsbury said firefighters were at the scene for about three hours.

Engineering activity, such as grinding or welding, had been under way in a workshop in the shed prior.

Kingsbury said a spark may have started the blaze afterwards when the shed was unoccupied. It served as a reminder.

‘‘Make sure when heat is being created, there’s no stray sparks. Be vigilant of the activity that’s going on in the shed, go back a few minutes later and check,’’ Kingsbury said.

Firefighters arriving at the scene worked to ensure the fire did not destroy a neighbouring shed, which also received some damage.

They also had to get hold of EA Networks to disconnect power at the site, as access to the shed was under power lines to a pole at the front of the shed.

Besides workshop equipment, the shed had two bays with firewood, ‘‘which didn’t help matters’’.

The roof collapsed, and machinery was used to drag out the firewood.

The brigade was supported by firefighters from Geraldine, Ashburton and Willowby brigades.

The fire followed one in a Hinds pump shed on a dairy farm two days prior.

Kingsbury said the pump shed fire may have been caused by rodents getting into its control panels.