FARMINGTON — A spark from an outdoor wood-fired boiler and strong winds that ignited dry grass are blamed for a fire that destroyed a workshop and thousands of dollars worth of tools, parts and equipment at a Farmington dairy farm over the weekend.

Konrad Bailey, who owns and operates Bailey Hill Farms with his mother, Shirley, and wife, Michelle on Bailey Hill Road said Sunday he had intended to install a screen on the furnace's chimney but had not gotten around to it yet.

The furnace was installed close to the rear of the shed at his farm and the grass fire spread quickly to the building.

The heat generated by the Saturday afternoon fire got close enough to the barm to melt the vinyl siding on one side but firefighters and tankers from seven towns were able to stop the flames from spreading, said Farmignton Fire Department Deputy Chief Clyde Ross on Sunday.

Ross said conditions are dry and fire danger is high, and anyone using an outdoor boiler should be sure a screen is installed in the smoke stack. .