BROWNTOWN — A major shed fire southeast of Browntown early Sept. 10 destroyed a year's worth of feed hay, Browntown Fire Chief Dave Plath said.

Firefighters responded at about 2:30 a.m. to the Nuckles Farm at 7788 Melvin Rd. and stayed on scene over six hours. No injuries or loss of livestock were reported.

The quonset hut-shaped, canvas-covered metal shed was full of large hay bales that caught on fire. Firefighters brought in an excavator to knock down parts of the building to slow the fire.

Plath wasn't sure of the cause but he said there was no evidence of an electrical fire and the hay likely just got too hot and ignited. Chilly, damp weather contributes to a rise in moisture content in hay, causing it to heat up.

He estimated damages at easily over $50,000. The owner of the shed owns several dairy farms in the area.

"That was her feed for the year," he said.

Plath expected the structure to keep burning for a couple more days. He planned to check on it periodically throughout the day.

Firefighters from Monroe, South Wayne, Winslow, Orangeville, Juda and Brodhead assisted the Browntown Fire Department. Green County EMS brought water for everyone and stayed as a precaution.