VIDEO/PHOTOS: Firefighters extinguish a brush fire at a field by Thurgood Marshall Elementary and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy. More than 30 departments and 46 units were called just after 1 p.m., Monday, to a brush fire at the corn field southeast of the intersection of Elmwood and Owen Center roads.
After four hours of endless work, crews put out the fire which burned 300 acres. Because of the wind and dryness of the field, the fire picked up and spread more than normal.
The Rockford Fire Department says the cause of the fire is accidental, but it remains under investigation. Carlson adds there are no injuries and no buildings were involved. The field had been partially harvested, but did have some standing corn.
According to Rockford Public Schools, Marshall Elementary and Marshall Middle schools are not impacted by the fire, dismissing at 2:55 and 4 p.m., respectively.
