Barn fire may have been human-caused - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2014-11-12

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Late frost — but not the latest Texas Roadhouse offering free lunches for vets Tuesday Workshops on floods, insurance coming to Jackson County Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford Ashland ice rink opens next week Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140 Grants Pass car crash kills one Emergency Services New cable fence stops out-of-control SUV Politics and Elections Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Oregon voters narrowly reject GMO labeling measure Statewide voter turnout close to 70 percent Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races Education Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Environment Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill Navickas ordered to pay court filing fees State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Jeanne R. 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Reported by several witnesses at about 9:35 a.m., the fire at 468 S. Stage Road destroyed a barn and haying equipment stored inside, including a restored 1967 John Deere tractor. Fire officials estimate about $50,000 in damage. While the cause is undetermined, investigators have pinned down the origin in the middle of the barn. The blaze drew four engines from Medford Fire-Rescue, a brush rig and a water tender from Jackson County Fire District No. 5. Crews arrived to see large flames pouring off the barn and an attached 24-by-20-foot shed. Firefighters fought the fire defensively, choosing to prevent the spread to nearby hay fields but letting the structure burn, as there was too much damage to it by the time crews arrived. Fire officials said the barn was packed with loose hay and some bales, which quickened the spread. "It burned so intensely. There's not much left to look at," said Greg Kleinberg, fire marshal for Medford Fire-Rescue. "The large barn basically had hay throughout." Kleinberg said possible causes include arson, a warming fire or a smoldering cigarette left behind by transients. There were reports of people trespassing on the property prior to the incident, he said. Oregon State Police is working with fire officials on the investigation. Fire officials are also considering the heat that can build up inside moist hay bales because of bacterial activity, though Kleinberg said that's unlikely because the hay was dry. "We can't rule it out," Kleinberg said. "What we really need is some witness information." Anyone with information is asked to call Medford Fire-Rescue at 541-774-2300. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 10, 2014 @ 11:32 am Updated Oct 10, 2014 at 2:58 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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