Heat Lamp Sparks Daytime Barn Fire on Deepstep Road, Officials Say
Photo by Baldwin County Fire RescueA Baldwin County Fire Rescue firefighter helps young students operate a fire hose during a hands-on learning activity at the station.
Photo by Baldwin County Fire RescueChildren and parents gather around Engine 17 as firefighters explain equipment and daily operations during the educational visit.
Photo by Baldwin County Fire RescueA firefighter kneels beside a student, guiding proper hose handling and water control as part of the interactive safety demonstration.
Photo by Baldwin County Fire RescueStudents pose proudly in front of a Baldwin County Fire Rescue engine after touring the apparatus and learning about firefighting tools.
Photo by Baldwin County Fire RescueAn on-duty firefighter speaks with students and parents beside Engine 17, sharing fire safety tips and answering questions during the station visit.
Baldwin County firefighters were called to Deepstep Road on Jan. 9 after a daytime fire smoldered inside a pole barn while the property owner was away at work, authorities said.
Crews from Baldwin County Fire Rescue Engine 5 and Squad 17 arrived to find lingering hot spots and smoke inside a pole barn that had already burned earlier in the day. The fire involved a chicken coop and items stored beneath the structure, including a tractor and a dirt bike. Four chickens were housed in the coop at the time of the incident.
Fire officials determined the cause to be accidental. According to investigators, a heat lamp inside the chicken coop was knocked over, igniting nearby materials. The fire burned for several hours before being discovered and reported, leaving sections of the barn charred and debris scattered across the ground.
Firefighters extinguished remaining hot spots and ensured the scene was safe before clearing. No injuries were reported.
Baldwin County Fire Rescue reminded residents to use extra caution when operating heat lamps, especially in agricultural or outdoor settings. Officials recommend securing lamps properly, keeping them clear of combustible materials, and routinely checking enclosures to prevent similar incidents.
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