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Fire destroys Stanford farm equipment shed, propane tanks explode

Fire destroys Stanford farm equipment shed, propane tanks explode

Fire crews douse the smoldering remains of an equipment shed at 357 Hunns Lake Road in Stanford after a fire and propane tank explosions destoryed the structure and farm machinery housed inside on Friday, July 17.

Photo by Nathan Miller

STANFORDVILLE — A fire destroyed a farm equipment shed in Stanford Friday, July 17.

Richie Ahlf, who lives at 357 Hunns Lake Road, was alerted to the blaze on his property when a landscaper working nearby noticed smoke and flames and ran into Ahlf's yard.

Ahlf reported the fire just before 1 p.m. The structure, an equipment shed that housed a tractor, a lawnmower and other farm machinery, was about 50 years old. The fire completely destroyed the shed and equipment stored inside, but caused no injuries.

"Nothing important, compared to a life," Ahlf said of the destruction. "Now I get to see how good my insurance is."

The fire had been brought under control by about 1:30 p.m. Fire crews continued to tamp out latent hot spots into the afternoon.

The mutual aid response drew fire crews from Stanford, Pine Plains, Ancram and North East.

A fire company official with the Stanford Fire Department said propane tanks exploded in the blaze, but was unsure if that was the cause of the fire or a secondary effect.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Heavy smoke rising from the destroyed structure as seen from Richie Ahlf's driveway entrance on Hunns Lake Road in Stanford on Friday, July 17.

Graham Corrigan
Nathan Miller
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