Posted Tuesday, March 16, 2010 --- 6:13 p.m.

From the Lancaster Fire Department:

Lancaster Fire was paged at 9:19 a.m. for a structure fire at 7883 Porters Bridge Road for an apparent gas tank explosion in the garage. Immediately after receiving the page, Lancaster Fire called for an additional tender from Bloomington Fire Department.

Once command arrived closer to the scene and witnessed the large amount of smoke coming from the structure at approximately 9:32, command called for two more tenders from Cassville Fire Department.

Once command arrived on scene of a 110' x 74' structure with contents fully involved and performed a 360 degree size up and determined that more resources were going to be needed.

Staging for additional unites was originally established at Hwy 35 and Porters Bridge Road but later moved closer to the scene. Another structure approximately 21' x 32' also started on fire due to being an exposure to the larger structure on fire.

Contents of the larger structure were, but not limited to, motorcycles, 4 wheeler, tractor, corn picker head, corn fotter bales and miscellaneous equipment and tools. The smaller structure had corn fotter bales in it also. Approximately 100,000 gallons of water was used to extinguish this fire, Vincent Excavating was called in to assist with the removal of the debris to access the fire.

Approximately 16 fire and EMS units were on scene to assist with this incident. One firefighter from a mutual aid department was transported to Grant Regional Hospital by Lancaster EMS for a knee injury.

Approximately 45 fire and EMS personnel were on scene to assist and remained on scene for approximately 6 hours.