7/11/22 - Sparta warehouse fire, 275 Hickory NW

At 11:35 AM on Monday, July 11, 2022, the Sparta, Alpine, and Kent City fire departments were dispatched to a roof of a pole barn on fire at 275 Hickory St NW in Sparta. Heavy smoke was visible for miles as firefighters arrived to a block long pole building completely engulfed in fire. The first arriving apparatus set up an aerial attack from the upwind A-D corner. The roof was almost completely collapsed on arrival. The next 2 engines were directed to protect residential structures which were downwind and only a few feet away from the fire building. Additional mutual aid was requested from Algoma, and an aerial from Plainfield. A defensive attack was maintained until the fire had cooled enough that overhauling could start and walls could be removed. Firefighters were on scene for over 6 hours making sure the fire was completely out.