Over a dozen fire departments battled an hours-long fire involving a vehicle, machinery and mulch at a mulch supplier near Hebron Wednesday.
The Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District responded at 10:34 a.m. Wednesday to Northwest Wood Products, 16306 Hebron Road in Harvard, for a report of a vehicle fire.
While firefighters were responding, the call was upgraded to a structure fire response because the fire was reportedly spreading, Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District Chief Thomas Linneman said.
Firefighters arrived and found a large tub grinder and a semi-truck fully engulfed in flames.
The fire was spreading to two very large piles of mulch, Linneman said.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated due to the extreme heat and rural location that firefighters battled in.
The Salvation Army Canteen responded to assist with firefighter rehabilitation and safety.
The fire was brought under control by 2:30 p.m. and crews remained on the scene to monitor for hot spots until 5 p.m., Linneman said.
Northwest Wood Products manufactures hardwood mulch and pallet lumber.
Officials estimate $300,000 in damage was caused by the fire, which appears to have been started accidentally.
Two firefighters were transported to Mercyhealth Hospital in Harvard with minor heat-related injuries.
The Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District was assisted at the scene by the Richmond, Wonder Lake, Spring Grove, Harvard, Woodstock, Town of Linn, Marengo, Union, Crystal Lake, McHenry Township, Walworth, Bloomfield, Delavan, Lake Geneva, Salem Lakes and Williams Bay fire departments.
The Huntley, Fox Lake, North Boone and Randall fire departments covered additional calls for the Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District.
The fire remains under investigation by the Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.