Barn fire started after owner tries to smoke rodents out

Addison, Wis. (CBS 58) --  The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a barn fire near Yellowstone Trail and Watercress Rd in the town of Addison Thursday. 

Washington County Dispatch Center received multiple calls that the barn on the property was fully engulfed in flames.

The barn was unoccupied and used as a storage barn on the property.

Allenton Fire personnel arrived on scene within minutes and began fire suppression efforts.

No fire or police personnel were injured.

The home owner told deputies she had a rodent problem in the barn. According to The owner stated she decided to place a “smoke bomb” type device in between the lower flashing on the west side of the barn to try to smoke the rodents out. The owner then covered the gap in the flashing with a blanket so the smoke did not escape the walls of the barn.

The barn and contents were a total loss valued at $20,000.

There were minimal contents inside the barn.

The Allenton fire chief determined that the “smoke bomb” ignited the west wall of the barn, and the fire quickly spread due to the age of the building.

Yellowstone Trail was shut down for approximately two hours to accommodate emergency vehicles.

The Allenton Fire Department was assisted by West Bend, Slinger, Hartford, St. Lawrence, Kohlsville, Jackson, Theresa, Knowles, Iron Ridge, and Neosho. Lifestar Ambulance assisted fire personnel on scene.