email this
print this
Share
By MARK HORNICKEL
mhornickel@kenoshanews.com

PLEASANT PRAIRIE — A burning pile of leaves turned into a grass fire Sunday morning, which spread and damaged at least two sheds.

Firefighters were called about 5:15 a.m. to 1905 89th St. for the report of a grass fire. But first-responding officers reported that the blaze had spread and engulfed one of the sheds. Officers also said the flames were about a story high.

Advertisement

“All I know is someone came knocking on my door saying there was a fire in my back yard, and then I looked out and saw the flames,” said Leslie Jones, who lives at the home.

Firefighters found leaves burning just outside a detached garage and surrounding the two sheds, and the fire was extinguished quickly, Pleasant Prairie Fire Chief Paul Guilbert said.

Iinvestigators couldn’t determine on which property the fire started because it was traced to an area where four properties meet.

The fire caused some damage to the garage and one of the sheds, Guilbert said. The second shed, a metal structure, sustained heavy damage, in addition to a lawn mower and some yard equipment. A boat and trailer also were damaged by the fire.

There were no reports of injuries.

Guilbert said the fire remains under investigation, and officials are still deciding whether anyone will be ticketed.

Guilbert said it is likely the fire spread after one of the residents burning leaves did not properly extinguish the flames.

“The burning of leaves, like the burning of any materials, can lead to big problems,” Guilbert said. “Leaves produce a hot fire, lots of smoke, and if not watched can contribute to a bigger fire. ... A lot of people just walk away when it gets down to the ash. In this case, we can see what happens.”