A Steward man has been identified as the victim of a farm equipment and field fire Monday in rural Steward and Lee County.

The Rochelle Fire Department was called at 3:29 p.m. Monday to Reynolds Road, about a mile west of Steward Road, for a field fire with a combine, tractor and grain cart involved. The report said there was a fatality, and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and Lee County Coroner’s Office were called to the scene to investigate.

The victim was identified Wednesday as Henry Knetsch, 63, of Steward, Lee County Deputy Coroner and Secretary Lori Miller said. An autopsy took place Wednesday, and the cause of death has not yet been released.

A combine, tractor, grain cart and utility vehicle sustained fire damage in the incident and were total losses. About 15 acres of farmland burned as well, some with standing crops and some without. No other individuals or firefighters were injured in the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Rochelle Fire Capt. Zach Prewett said Monday that it is suspected to be due to equipment failure.

Fire Chief Dave Sawlsville said Monday night that Knetsch was the only farmer at the scene. The fire was called in by a passerby. Monday saw an increased risk of field fires due to dryness and wind, Sawlsville said.

Sawlsville said fire officials believe the fire started in one of the pieces of equipment and spread to the field and other pieces of equipment. Knetsch was found inside the cab of the combine, and there was no indication of foul play, the fire chief said.

“This goes to show why farming is one of the most dangerous occupations,” Sawlsville said Monday.

Responding agencies included the Rochelle Fire Department; the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District stations of Hillcrest, Flagg Center, Steward and Creston; the Lee Fire Protection District; the Paw Paw Fire Department; the Lee County Sheriff’s Office; and the Lee County Coroner’s Office.