A costly fire in Belle River

• Hauling debris

Echo Press photo by Al Edenloff A firefighter hauled debris away from the scene of a large shed fire near Belle River Tuesday. The Carlos Fire Department responded to the scene first and then called the Miltona Fire Department for mutual aid.
• Firefighters

Echo Press photo by Al Edenloff A holding tank was set up to provide a steady stream of water to fight Tuesday's blaze.

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Firefighters from Carlos and Miltona responded to a large structure fire near Belle River at 12:14 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire happened at Brian Gustafson’s residence at 9663 County Road 3, just north of the intersection with County Road 13, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

When firefighters arrived, they found a 40-by-100-foot detached metal shed fully engulfed in flames. The building housed tractors, collectible cars, at least three all-terrain vehicles, portable fish houses, a pontoon, a couple of boats, collectible tractors and more.

Firefighters hauled out debris, tore down walls, thoroughly ventilated the building and doused the flames with water from a holding tank that was set up near the fire.

The shed and its contents were a total loss. A deputy at the scene expected that the damage could amount to several hundred thousand dollars.

The thick black smoke from the blaze could be seen from miles away.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

No injuries were reported.

Tags: local news, belle river, fire department, douglas county, news, fire, miltona, carlos, gustafson