AUBURN – Motorists on the Maine Turnpike might have spotted flames near the Auburn exit Saturday night thinking a barn was on fire.

There was a fire, but it wasn’t a barn that was burning. It was a controlled burn of brush and other wood products in a field near a barn on South Witham Road, fire officials said.

At least one motorist called 911 to report a possible structure fire. After a quick check of recent burn permits, officials concluded it was a false alarm.