The Waterloo Fire Department responded along with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to reports of flames seen shooting up into the air and loud explosions heard in the area of 2500 Trout Camp Road.

A fire official told the Republic-Times that a large shed containing several types of ammunition, including kegs of gunpowder and bullets ranging from 22 to 50 caliber in size, somehow ignited and burned, resulting in the ammunition being set off.

The shed — located on farmland in an open area well away from other buildings — belonged to a commercial arms dealer, and was protected by a locked gate.

In addition to the large amount of ammunition and the shed itself, other items damaged or destroyed in the blaze included a zero turn mower and a Gator vehicle. Firefighters could only stand back and let the shed burn, watching close to make sure flames did not spread.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were called in to investigate the incident.