A combine was destroyed by fire in a field off 1731 Boone Street Road in rural Odin early Saturday night.
Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith says the owner Michael Tolka was combining the field when he heard a pop. When he got off the combine he saw the entire rear of the vehicle on fire.
Smith reports the vehicle was 300 to 500 yards off the road and muddy conditions prevented all but the small grass fighting vehicles to be able to reach the fire. He notes the vehicles can only transport a small amount of water further complicating the firefighting efforts. Firemen were able to keep the fire from spreading into the field.
Salem and Sandoval Firemen provided equipment on the scene, while Salem stood by at the Odin Fire Station and Kell Firemen at the Salem Fire Station in the event of another fire.
The fire call came in at six Saturday night. Firemen were on the scene for two and a half hours and were involved in cleanup for another two and a half hours after that.
