Hot bearing sparks farm equipment fire

A compost turner caught fire in northern Bonneville County Wednesday night.

It happened around 8:20 p.m. west of Lewisville Highway at 113th. Flames quickly consumed the farm machinery sending thick black smoke into the air. Fire chief Bill Hicks said firefighters could see the smoke from their firehouse when the got the call.

A manager at the farm says a bearing overheated and ignited the blaze. The operator was able to jump from the machine without getting injured.

The fire also spread to some of the surrounding field, but Hicks says quick thinking kept it from getting worse.

“We’re lucky that they had a nice green field at this time,” he said. “The farmers and their employees who were around here did a good job of containing the fire to the piece of equipment.”

Once fire crews arrived they were able to get the fire out pretty quick.