Coupeville Sports

An equipment barn on Terry Road meets a fiery demise. (Photos courtesy Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue)

Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue led a successful fight Wednesday to prevent a fire at an equipment barn from spreading across the prairie during the height of the dry summer season.

While the structure on Terry Road, and the equipment inside are believed to be a total loss, there were no injuries or loss of life.

The property, farmed for many years by Robert Engle and his family, is currently owned by the National Park Services.

The NPS has a lease with a local farmer, Steve Hilborn, who is also the head baseball coach at Coupeville High School.

Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the scene shortly after noon Wednesday and was on scene in four minutes.

Coupeville firefighters were later joined by crew from North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, South Whidbey Fire and EMS, the Oak Harbor Fire Department, Navy Region Northwest Fire Department, and Whidbey Health EMS.

Extinguishment and overhaul operations wrapped up shortly after 8:00 PM.

Site security and fire watch will extend until federal investigators arrive on scene Thursday morning.

The National Park Service will lead the investigation, with assistance from local authorities.