8/10/16 - Hamlin Twp barn fire, 11601 Ballard Hwy

At approximately 2:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, the Hamlin Township Fire Department was dispatched to a barn fire at 11601 Ballard Hwy with automatic aid from the Eaton Rapids Fire Department. First in personnel discovered a long, vacant, wood and concrete barn at an old hog farm involved in fire. Because the structure was vacant, nearby exposures were of primary concern. Hamlin Township Engine 1313 and Tanker 1315 were the first to arrive, while 1313 began stretching handlines, 1315 sought the best vantage point to begin attacking the fire with their deck gun. Additional tankers and manpower were requested from Onondaga, Eaton Rapids Township, Springport, Leslie and Rives Township fire departments. Extensive overhaul in hot, humid conditions was required to completely extinguish the fire, and fresh personnel needed to be rotated into the fireground. Firefighters were on the scene for several hours.