(La Porte County, IN) - A vehicle trespassing on private property caught fire and the flames spread to three old wooden barns on land belonging to the owners of a nearby blueberry farm in northern La Porte County.

 

The largest barn was totally destroyed while another one sustained heavy damage, said Springfield Township Fire Chief Steve Marvel. He said damage to the other barn was less extensive from being the last one to catch fire, giving firefighters time to save it.

 

According to La Porte County Police, the owner of the vehicle on Saturday decided to pull on to the property on 925 North just west of Indiana 39.

 

The driver, Courtney Wilson, explained he was returning from a laundromat in New Buffalo and simply wanted to enjoy the view of the countryside to get his mind off some personal things he’s going through.

 

His van, a 2007 Honda Odyssey, became stuck in the muddy ground between two of the barns and, while using the gas and brake pedals to try and rock the vehicle out, smoke began rising from under the hood.

 

Police said Wilson told investigators he then quickly saw rapidly spreading flames underneath the vehicle.

 

Marvel said the flames catching the grass on fire spread to two barns closest to the vehicle, which was totally destroyed.

 

He said the other barn was set ablaze by the extreme heat emitting from the largest barn, which was engulfed in flames when he parked his fire truck about 80 feet away.

 

“I could feel the heat as soon as I got out,” he said.

 

Marvel said the barns did not seem to be used much except for one that appeared to have tires in it.

 

According to police, the property belongs to Dean Ott.  Ott is the owner of nearby Stateline Blueberries, a popular place for u-picking during the harvest season.