Waterloo firefighters extinguish the flames during a trash fire that spread to a nearby field in the area of Kaskaskia Road at Route 3 on Friday. (Sean McGowan photo)

The Waterloo Fire Department responded shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday to the area of Kaskaskia Road and Route 3 south of Waterloo for the report of a controlled burn that was spreading into a nearby field.

The former owner of the Okinawan Karate School building at 5843 Kaskaskia Road said he was burning trash outside to get the building ready for a new owner when the fire got out of control.

Waterloo firemen were able to douse the flames before they spread further out of control.