A deserted campfire caused flames on Bong Hill last night, leading 18 volunteer members of the Richland Area Fire Department to respond.
The fire broke out right on the top edge of Bong Hill looking down on State Route 33, said Tim Hastings, chief of the RAFD. The call was received by 911 at about 10:30 p.m. and the small brush fire was contained and extinguished by about 11:15 p.m., he said.
There was a campfire that had a pile of firewood and newspapers
Hastings said, adding that the 12 volunteers who climbed to the top of the hill to respond to the fire were unable to find anything besides the firewood and newspapers to determine the cause.
The department is unsure if the fire already had been extinguished and then reignited or if the fire was never put out, he said.
No one was present at the site of the fire when volunteers reached it, Hastings said.
- Matt Burns 17
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Matt Burns
