Hay Fire at Goldstein Farms Near Sigel

Sigel firefighters were called to Goldstein Farms near Sigel after hay bales were spotted on fire.

A friend of the family phoned her boyfriend when she noticed a strange fire behind the barns on the farm about 9pm Wednesday. The boyfriend phoned Luke Goldstein to notify him of the fire. Once Luke spotted the fire, he asked his father, Dan, to phone 911.

Sigel Fire Chief Troy Althoff said first arriving firefighters noticed several roud bales in a stack three-high fully engulfed in flames. Althoff said there were two buildings roughly 15-20 feet from the pile, several pieces of farm equipment, and a field that had just been combined. The initial attack was to cool bales and protect structures, while a tractor and disc were used to prevent spread of the fire to the standing stubble in the field. Once the disc was used on the field, bales were moved from the pile, one at a time, and placed in the field to finish burning. Due to the windy conditions, a wall of round bales was established to help as a windbreak.

About 50 bales of hay were lost, but no cattle, equipment or people were harmed. Goldstein Farms and Sigel firefighters are thanking all of the neighbors who brought in tractors to help move bales and the Teutopolis Fire District was utilized as of about 10:30pm for hauling water to the scene. Althoff said Shumway firefighters also assisted, along with the Effingham County Sheriff's Department and Effingham City/County Ambulance Service. The scene was cleared about 1:30am Thursday.

Kay Goldstein said the hay is still smoldering and probably will be for the next few days.