(La Porte County, IN) - A farm combine harvesting soybeans at a time when fields remain very dry caught fire Monday in southern La Porte County.

 

La Porte County Police said an officer about 3:30 p.m. was dispatched to 1125 South and 750 East where a 2004 John Deere combine caught fire.  Police said the fire was smoldering inside the combine’s hopper while members of the Hamlet Fire Department on their way.

 

Police said the tractor showed no external damage but there were melted wires inside the combine, which would not start back up.

 

Cory Rosenbaum explained he first smelled smoke after cutting soybeans in his field and called the fire department as the smoke in the hopper at the rear of the harvesting machine intensified, according to police.  After the fire was put out, the combine was allowed to remain in the field for Rosenbaum to later have fixed.

 

Occasinally, combines catch fire when a spark from a wheel bearing or some other moving part comes into contact with dry corn and soybean plants.

 

La Porte County has been under an open burning ban for just over a month in response to concerns by farmers about the potential for their drier than normal crops to burn in the event of a brush fire that might develop before they’re all harvested.