(Photo by Todd Sprague)

TIPPECANOE TOWNSHIP —A combine harvesting beans in a field Monday afternoon caused five separate fires Monday afternoon, around 4 p.m., that resulted in four fire departments responding. The fire was at the intersection of CR 300N and CR 475E, south of the Barbee Chains in Tippecanoe Township.

North Webster Fire Chief Jeremy Likens reported a witness stated the combine was heading south in the field and sparks were seen coming out of the back of the combine, starting small fires. When the combine reached the south end of the field, the combine itself was engulfed in flames. Likens stated it is unsure if dust or mechanical problems caused the combine fire.

Wind was a big factor for the fire department as embers from the bean field fires jumped CR 475E into an unharvested corn field. Likens stated the fire jumped at two spots and the north end of the field, but firefighters were able to get a quick control of the fire. In total there were five separate fires.

Likens expressed appreciate for the big help Mike Reiff Farms provided in bringing down a tractor and disc to help control the fire.

Fire departments from North Webster, Leesburg, Winona Lake and Pierceton responded to the fires.

The John Deere combine was a total loss and no one was injured. The owner of the combine is unknown. The fields are owned by Paul and Clara Poppenfoose and Samuel and Ann Poppenfoose, according to the Kosciusko County property records.