‘Fabulous Farm Babe’ alerts fire department to blaze

Jahnke sees construction trailer on fire as she went to work

MADISON, Wis. — Damage from a blaze inside a construction trailer on Madison’s west side was limited Thursday morning, thanks to a quick call from the “Fabulous Farm Babe.”

According to the Madison Fire Department, WISC-TV farm reporter Pam Jahnke was on her way to work about 2:30 a.m. Thursday when she saw a construction trailer on fire in the 6800 block of Hammersley Road and called 911.

“My biggest concern right then was that prairie grass fire that was right there,” Jahnke said. “I was really concerned with the drought that there could be some homes that could be real close to danger if somebody didn’t get over there. I didn’t have time to get there myself or do anything, but I thought I might as well make the call.” 

When firefighters arrived, they found a storage trailer on fire, with flames shooting through the roof and out a rear corner.

Firefighters also found a container of charcoal lighter fluid at the scene. The Fire Department said the blaze is being investigated as a possible arson.

Damage to the trailer is estimated at $6,000.

A trailer and a backhoe were parked in a grassy area, and firefighters credit recent rains with preventing the fire from spreading to the equipment.