WHATELY — A small barn fire broke out at 265 River Road on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Fire Chief JP Kennedy, improper disposal of smokeable materials caused the fire. Whately and South Deerfield firefighters responded after a resident noticed smoke behind the barn and called 911 at 1:45 p.m.

The fire led to “minor damage” to the exterior, burning a portion of the southwest corner of the barn, Kennedy said. There were no injuries. The chief added that the resident’s quick call prevented more serious damage.

Kennedy noted that temperatures as high as 96 degrees and intense winds in Whately on Tuesday likely contributed to the fire.

Whately and South Deerfield firefighters knocked down a small fire that scorched the corner of a barn at 265 River Road in Whately on Tuesday afternoon. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo

Aalianna Marietta is the South County reporter. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst and was a journalism intern at the Recorder while in school. She can be reached at amarietta@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.