(Milford)– Downed power lines and grass fires kept Milford firefighters on the run during the height of Saturday evening’s storms.
The first call came in shortly after 9:30 p.m. when firefighters were called to a report of a power line down at the intersection of County Road A-34 and “S” Avenue.
A short time later, firefighters were called to 2144 230th Avenue where a home had been struck by lightning. No one was injured. Firefighters stood by until utilities were deemed safe.
While firefighters were at those locations, a third call came in regarding a large grass fire about three miles west of Milford near Little Sioux Estates. Assistance was then called from the Arnolds Park-Okoboji and Lake Park Fire Departments as strong wind was causing the blaze to spread rapidly through tall grass, small pine trees and brush and was headed toward a residence. Firefighters were able to bring it under control before it could reach that location, but not before an estimated 50 acres of land had burned.
The cause isn’t known, but intense cloud-to-ground lightning was in the area at the time. No injuries were reported.
In addition, officials are also now saying the cause of a grass fire last Tuesday (April 5th) on Highway 71 near the tanks south of Milford is being listed as undetermined. Originally it was believed the blaze was the result of hot bearings on a piece of equipment parked along the road. But now officials say the equipment had already been parked there several hours prior to the fire.
