NEWRY — A hot muffler that fell off a tractor ignited farmer Les Robinson’s hayfield late Tuesday afternoon on Bear River Road, Newry fire Chief Bruce Pierce said.
He said the fire, which was extinguished quickly, burned an area roughly 100 feet by 50 to 100 feet.
Firefighters from Bethel, Newry and Rumford responded.
Pierce said Rumford firefighters were nearby and also came up to help, which was appreciated.
Rumford had responded to a sprinkler activation call at 4:41 p.m. at the Chamberlain Resort on Chamberlain Lane in Hanover. However, soon after they arrived, an investigation revealed it was an alarm malfunction, Rumford fire Deputy Chief Ben Byam said.
As they were clearing, they heard Newry firefighters being called out to a hay fire just 2½ miles away and went to help, Byam said.
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