Firefighters from dozens of communities battled a large fire that broke out in a corn field in the Rockford area Monday afternoon.

According to the Rockford Fire Department, the blaze broke out in a field near Owens Center Road on Monday afternoon.

The fire was contained just after 4:30 p.m., officials said, and roads near the blaze were reopened, according to Rockford-based WREX.

The blaze burned through a field of unharvested corn, according to officials, and gusty winds out of the east helped to accelerate the fire, making it difficult to contain.

According to officials, the fire broke out near Thurgood Marshall Middle School, but the building was unaffected.

Dozens of departments helped battle the fire, according to Rockford fire officials.

No injuries were reported in connectio

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