A brush fire towards the rear of Harmon Field in Tryon caused sounds similar to gunshots due to bamboo that burned.

Tryon Fire Chief Joey Davis said the Tryon Fire Department was dispatched on Sun., Dec. 2 at 2:11 a.m. to the fire and found approximately ½ to ¾ of an acre of wooded area on fire.

The fire was close to the top of Baker Road.

Davis said residents in the area reported hearing loud pops or explosions just before or during the fire suppression activities.

“The fire was involving some bamboo that borders the rear of Harmon Field,” Davis said. “Because of its high water content, bamboo, when burning, will pop and crack (sounding very similar to a gunshot). There were no signs of any electrical causes (like a downed power line).”

The Tryon Fire Department was assisted by the Columbus Fire Department and the N.C. Forest Service. Cleanup of the site was ongoing until mid-afternoon, Sun., Dec. 2, according to Davis.

Davis said the fire is suspicious and is the second similar type fire at Harmon Field in the last month. He said more than two acres of wooded area burned in November.

Both the fires are currently under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the fires is asked to call the Tryon Fire Department at 828-859-9566.