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A haystack apparently burst into flames Sunday afternoon at Wheeler Farm, causing a brush fire that damaged a shed, fire officials said.

Spontaneous combustion likely was behind the fire that spread from a compost pile of hay and manure about 6 p.m. at the farm, 6351 S. 900 East, said Murray fire department spokesman Russ Groves.

The fire burned about a quarter-acre and damaged a shed before crews smothered the blaze, Groves said.

"With the winds, it looks like the crews made a darn good stop on this one," Groves said.

Spontaneous combustion can occur when heat is trapped in moist, rotting organic matter.

"We're not ruling out anything suspicious, but that's definitely what it looks like right now," Groves said.

Erin Alberty