Los Molinos Farmer burned fighting $3M blaze By JULIE ZEEB -DN Staff Writer Updated: 06/12/2009 07:04:59 AM PDT
LOS MOLINOS Los Molinos walnut and prune farmer Brad Call suffered minor burn injuries after his barn caught fire Wednesday on Highway 99E near Englehorn Road, but was doing fine Thursday, his wife, Larisa, said.
Brad Call had been trying to save some of the couple's farming equipment when he caught fire. The flames were quickly extinguished using a hose, Larisa Call said.
Brad Call was able to drive one forklift and a bin carrier out, but several large tractors and everything else in the barn was lost.
It's going to be hard to get equipment and get it going again, Larisa Call said.
The estimated loss was about $3 million, with $500,000 worth saved, said CalFire Capt. Dan Todd.
Among other things saved was a baby fox the firemen rescued. It had apparently been living in the barn, Larisa Call said.
The cause of the fire, which was burning vigorously when firefighters arrived, was a cutting torch, Todd said.
Five engines, three water tenders and air support helped get the fire contained by 5:34 p.m. and the last crew left the scene at 7 a.m. Thursday having spent the night to make sure flames didn't start back up, Todd said.
Tehama County Fire Department was on hand with volunteers from Los Molinos, El Camino and Antelope. PG&E was called in to deal with downed power lines.
The fire didn't spread to any nearby vegetation.
It was kept from reaching large fuel tanks on the property,
for which Larisa Call said she was thankful. | Reply » |
COMMENTS
Nan Schmalz
I understand that there are extraordinary Good Samaritans living in Los Molinos. After the tragic destruction of the Call barn, friends, neighbors and church members have combined to offer their harvesting equipment and tractors and about anything else that is needed. Even a distant high school friend called with similar support. What a blessing it must be to be surrounded by such excellent, caring people!
Anne House I am sad to hear of the fire that destroyed this 98 year-old barn on the Sycamore Ranch, just south of Los Molinos. I recently spent time photographing this very barn ... a huge, beautiful historic structure, built in 1911. Sorry to hear that Brad was injured trying to save equipment, but relieved that he, and the fox, will recover. |
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