Nearly 40 firefighters spent three and a half hours on the scene of a fire Wednesday evening near Cortland.
At 7 p.m., the Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at Benson Hill, an agriculture facility located at Base Road and State Road 258, according to a news release from Chief Cody Hercamp.
Automatic aid was provided from the Brownstown Fire Department and Pershing Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Due to the facility size and type of fire, Hercamp said the Seymour Fire Department was requested to respond with Ladder 1, and Redding Township Volunteer Fire Department was requested, too.
Within 7 minutes of the initial dispatch, Hercamp said Hamilton Township firefighters arrived on scene and found a conveyor system on fire approximately 100 feet off of the ground.
Upon making access to the system, he said heavy fire was noted within the system. SFD’s Ladder 1 was used for master steam operations and for firefighters to gain access to the grain bins and conveyor system.
Hercamp said the fire was contained to the conveyor system with no extension to the grain bins. No injuries were reported.
The facility is valued at approximately $45 million, and early damage estimates are approximately $250,000, according to Benson Hill representatives.
Other agencies assisting were Jackson County Emergency Medical Services, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Jackson County Emergency Management Agency. Southwest Fire Department of Bartholomew County provided standby coverage for Jackson County departments.