Firemen at work this weekend

     Firemen go where the fires are. And, area departments weren’t idle this weekend.

     Someone’s garden fire at 500 Canal in Ottawa Friday evening got into the I & M canal before firemen put it out. Fire made a small single story Magnolia home unlivable Saturday afternoon despite the efforts of 5 departments. Dave VanLaar of the Magnolia department said firemen fought wind and the home’s 2 ceilings before getting the upper hand . The 1 occupant got out.

    About the same time Saturday there was a “tug of war” – sort of – between Seneca Fire Chief, Jerry Sears and some area farmers 3 miles east of the High School. 1 field fire burned a 3/4 mile stretch of the canal. Sears told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO”, his men were still on site around 4:30 Saturday because, quote, “they – meaning the farmers – kept lighting ‘em in their fields.”