Ashfield brush fire ends with loss of woodshed

ASHFIELD — A brush fire that was likely caused by a downed power line ended with the loss of a woodshed at 174 John Ford Road on Tuesday afternoon.

According to First Capt. Colleen Walker of the Ashfield Fire Department, the fire is believed to have started after a falling tree branch knocked down a power line, which started sparking. Due to high wind, the fire spread about 1.3 acres from where the power line fell near the end of the property to an outbuilding containing firewood that was located next to the house and garage. This woodshed burned down, though a second shed was spared.

No one was injured in the fire and the homeowners were not home at the time. Ashfield resident Galen Knowles has been watching the property for owners Paul Lacinski and Amy Klippenstein while they are out of town.

“[Lacinski and Klippenstein] had one rule: don’t burn the house down,” Knowles said.

According to Walker, the fire was reported to dispatchers just before 2 p.m. and “about a dozen” departments responded to provide mutual aid. Walker said that brush trucks, tankers and utility terrain vehicles (UTV) were used to quell the flames. Crews were working for about an hour before the fire was extinguished.

Neighbor Jane Kaufman recounted seeing smoke come through her yard. She said she also saw a yellow reflection on the solar panels on the property.

Knowles said he was advised to stay at 174 John Ford Road for the night and check outside every few hours to see if he sees smoke.

Elsewhere in Franklin County on Tuesday, firefighters responded to reported brush fires along Reeds Bridge Road in Conway and Federal Street in Montague.