High winds and dry conditions made for a tinderbox last week, with DeKalb firefighter having to respond to two fire just minutes apart. One fire claimed a barn and farm equipment, while another fire threatened a local man’s Home.

According to DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green, on Wednesday, February 16, at 10:53 a.m., E-911 dispatchers received a call reporting a barn fire at the home of James Lattimore at 407 Whorton Springs Road. Lattimore had been feeding his cattle and parked his tractor in a barn, and later a passerby noticed the barn on fire.

Cookeville Highway Engine 61, Short Mountain Engine 62, Blue Springs Engine 69, Belk Engine 66, Main Station Engine 59, and the Department’s Brush Truck responded to the scene, along with a unit with DeKalb EMS and the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department.

Upon arrival, fire crews found the barn and all of the equipment inside, totally engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze, but the barn, a John Deere tractor and bailer, and other tools and equipment were a total loss.

While fire crews were wrapping up that fire scene, E-911 received another call reporting a fire, this time on V. L. Wilson Loop off of Holmes Creek Road. Officials say that a pile of tires had ignited from an unknown source and the blaze had spread to nearby grass and woodlands. Fire officials say the 2.8 acres of land was on fire upon their arrival.

Main Station Engine 59, Cookeville Highway Engine 61, and Belk Engine 66, responded to that fire, along with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department.

Chief Green reported that the fire had spread to a mobile home rented by Matt Sullivan and had burned the under the underpinning of trailer. Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and were able to keep the mobile home from burning.

The Tennessee Division of Forestry was brought in with their bulldozer to contain the brush fire. No injuries were reported in either incident.