The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspected arson fire set early Thursday morning.

According to Lt. Mike Smith, a fire that consumed a shed, over 720 bales of alfalfa hay plus farm equipment has been deemed suspicious.

Lt. Smith tells KSAL News that the State Fire Marshal is also joining the investigation into the fire that was reported burning just after 2am in the 10500 block of S. Gypsum Valley Road.

Owner Jeff Knopf estimated he had approximately 729 bales inside the shed. A JCB wheel loader, valued at $112,000 was destroyed as well as the building worth $120,000.

Rural Fire District responded to the blaze and decided to allow the fire to burn out as crews monitored the blaze throughout the morning.

Total loss is listed at $341,350.

The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.