(The Hoot News photo provided)

Saturday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Columbia Township Fire Department (CTFD) and Columbia City Fire Department (CCFD) were dispatched to a brush fire in the 1900 block of West Business 30, near the outskirts of Columbia City.

Upon arrival, fire crews found that a burn pile had spread into the grass and brush along the adjacent railroad tracks. Responding units acted quickly and managed to bring the fire under control within 10 minutes of arrival, preventing any further spread.

No structures were threatened during the incident, and the quick response ensured the fire did not pose a risk to nearby properties. Columbia City Police Department (CCPD) officers also assisted at the scene, helping secure the area while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the prompt and coordinated efforts of the CTFD, CCFD, and CCPD ensured a swift resolution with no injuries or significant damage reported.