Six fire departments responded Sunday night around 7:15 p.m. for a fully evolved combine in a bean field off Geo Leilich Road on the border of Smithton and New Athens. Firefighter Tim Lubenkov’s daughter pointed out the burning combine in the field near their house. When he arrived at the field, Lubenkov watched as balls of fire erupted from the combine as diesel fuel flooded from the machine. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, although field and combine fires aren’t uncommon when areas become too dry, New Athens Captain Justin Majzel said.