A brush fire that was rapidly spreading was contained before it could spread to a house in Westerlo. 

Firefighters were called to 222 Dunbar Hollow Rd in Westerlo just after 3:45 p.m. on Friday, March 14, for a reported brush fire that was out of control. 

Units enroute to the call reported a large column of black smoke and it appeared a structure began to catch fire as well, according to Chief Arthur Lounsbury of the Westerlo Fire Department. 

“First arriving apparatus deployed several lines to control the fire,” Lounsbury said. “Upon size up, the fire had started spreading into the woods.” 

Onesquethaw and Berne fire departments were dispatched to assist Westerlo units on scene. 

A tanker shuttle was established to shuttle water to the scene for crews extinguishing the fire. 

The large amount of smoke seen initially is believed to be due to the large amount of items on the property that caught fire. 

Lounsbury says crews had to work to extinguish several burning tires, as well as a pickup truck that had a ruptured fuel tank that kept adding flare ups. 

The fire that spread to the woods was quickly contained, with Berne firefighters checking for any extension. 

“After the fire had been put out, it was found to be a tow-behind trailer and small out-building that had burnt,” Lounsbury said. “Along with many stacks of tires, pallets and a truck.” 

He says the fire is believed to have ignited from something falling out of a burn barrel on the property. 

Fire crews were also assisted by Albany County Sheriff’s Ambulance, Albany County Paramedics, Albany County Sheriff’s and New York State Police. 

There were no injuries reported.