Cause of Tuesdays night barn fire on Lehigh property undetermined

MITCHELL - SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 - Marion Township Volunteer Fire Department was initially toned at 11:08 pm with Mitchell City fire as automatic mutual aid. Shawswick was requested for tanker support at 11:15. The location was given as 200 Mill Creek Road.

Photo: Mitchell Police officer talks with Marion Township Fire Chief Paul Gillespie during a barn fire Tuesday night

Video: Marion Township and Mitchell Fire Department along with Mitchell Police Department respond to barn fire

"The fire was initially dispatched. However, there was an issue and some of Marion Fire's radios did not alert. It was mixed, some alerted twice, some once and some not at all. The location given would have been the new Lehigh office building. This prompted a massive response."

The actual location was at 620 Meridian Road and was a vacant pole barn. Mitchell Engine 5 arrived on scene and found the structure well involved. Marion arrived on scene and utilized a nearby fire hydrant and Shawswick Fire was cancelled for the tanker support.

Fire was brought under control quickly and units returned to service.

"The property is owned by Lehigh and they have been contacted. An investigation was performed today. There were no utilities running to the structure so the fire is believed to have been set or accidental. Witnesses did state that they have seen people going in and out of the structure. But the identities are unknown. The cause was undetermined after investigation. I will be contacting the State Fire Marshal's office to report the suspicious fire."

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