Osage County fire under control

Firefighters have a fire in Osage County under control, but are staying on scene to watch for hotspots and flare-ups. Much of what’s still smoldering are old railroad ties from a line no longer in use.

The fire started along Highway 28 between Belle and Bland last night. The highway was closed temporarily, but then crews opened up one lane for traffic.

Osage County Sheriff Michael Dixon says a truck pulling a trailer blew out a tire and the sparking rim ignited a series of roadside fires. He says, at one point, the line of fires was 2 to 3 miles long. A viewer sent us the attached pictures of the fire.

At one point, crews from seven departments were on scene. As of 6 a.m. two Belle firefighters and one Bland firefighter were still there.

One abandoned house did catch fire and burned down.