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County fire coordinator reports large barn fire July 3; mutual aid assisted
Summary
Fire Coordinator Mark Whalen described a July 3 large barn/machine-shed fire involving multiple agencies, an attempted interior attack abandoned after explosions from acetylene/oxygen bottles, and multi-day follow-up to address hotspots; total loss was pending at the time of the report.
Mark Whalen, Miami County's fire coordinator, reported on a significant structure fire that began shortly after midnight on July 3. He said dispatch received a 911 call and that first deputies and engines arrived to find smoke and active fire; the building was a merged machine shed comprising four barns (approximately 80 by 240 feet).
Whalen said crews attempted an interior attack but abandoned that effort after fire breached the wooden roof and acetylene and oxygen bottles inside began exploding. Multiple mutual‑aid departments responded, including units from Overland Park and Johnson County Consolidated Fire District 1 as well as volunteers from nearby districts; units cleared the scene the morning of July 3, with additional visits over the holiday weekend to extinguish hotspots. Whalen said part of the structure was saved and total loss had not yet been determined.
