Departments team up to battle big brush blaze

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 21, 2009 12:53 am

— CONNEAUT — Firefighters and equipment from five departments helped douse a big brush and tire fire Wednesday afternoon in Conneaut, according to reports.
A very large area below West Main Road (Route 20) was scorched, said Conneaut Fire Capt. Steve Lee. A pile of 20 to 30 discarded tires added fuel to the fire, he said.
Firefighters were sent to the location at 12:26 p.m. and discovered the fire was burning on a steep embankment south of Route 20 near Gore Road. The tire pile was at the bottom of the embankment, Lee said.
Smoke was very dense and could be seen a distance away, according to reports. Traffic on busy Route 20 was restricted near the fire scene, but the highway was not closed, firefighters said.
Heavy underbrush and the sharp incline made reaching the fire difficult, Lee said. Called to assist were firefighters from North Kingsville and Monroe, Sheffield and Plymouth townships, he said.
Plymouth brought a special off-road vehicle used to reach brush fires, Lee said.
Firefighters spent more than three hours at the scene, Lee said. No injuries were reported.
Cause of the fire is undetermined, Lee said.