Massive Fire Burns 80 Acres in Middleburgh, Requires 60 Firemen to Contain

Over sixty firemen and emergency responders were able to contain a massive brush fire in the Town of Middleburgh on Sunday afternoon, but not before the blaze engulfed over eighty acres of land and an arrest was made. 

Originating from the illegal use of a burn barrel at 1974 Huntersland Road, the fire rapidly spread north west to Llama Lane, where a wildlife rescue facility is operated by Darcy and Wes Laraway. The call came in at 1:33 p.m. 

Also spreading towards Brooky Hollow Road and Decker Road, a fire perimeter was established after approximately four hours of on the ground efforts. Middleburgh Fire Chief Michael Devlin praised the help of all parties involved. 

Telling The Schoharie News that, "It was scary for me," Mr. Laraway felt safe with all of the fire departments at his property, but conceded it would have been "very difficult to start moving the animals" had the fire spread.

Further commenting that wild animals do not move well in an emergency, Laraway pointed out that it wasn't until he "saw all the ash coming down around our barn I started getting nervous." 

The Middleburgh Fire Department will continue to monitor the hot spots said Chief Devlin on Monday morning, but he believes "at this time we have a strong fire line established." Devlin estimated the damages at $2,500. 

An arrest was made for the open burning during red flag warnings, but as of this morning's publication, no details or arrest information has been released to the media by the Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Wayman was in command of the fire scene and oversaw the efforts of 67 firemen and first responders from thirteen fire departments, two ambulance squads, and countless others. One firemen was injured.