Fergus Falls, Minn. (KBRF) – A fire at the farmer’s grain elevator in Fergus Falls on Sunday evening called more than 90 firefighters from six lakes area departments into action to battle the blaze.
On Nov. 12 at 6:31 p.m., the Fergus Falls Fire Department responded to a reported flames at the Farmers Elevator, located on the 400 block of East Junius Avenue.
Elizabeth and Underwood Fire Departments also responded immediately to the scene after call for mutual aid. Flames could be seen by responding police and fire personnel from several blocks away.
Upon arrival, the grain dryer was engulfed in flames with fire impinging upon the wood constructed elevator.
Crews from the first two engine companies established a water supply from a hydrant and began exposure protection of the elevator.
The ladder truck was deployed to conduct exposure protection of the upper reaches of the building.
Mutual aid was also requested from Dalton, and additional ladder trucks from Breckenridge and Perham.
Initial smoke conditions were thick.
Due to the quick water application, the fire was not able to expand from the dryer and into the wood constructed elevator; however, it took time and personnel to clear the dryer of burning contents.
Mutual aid crews assisted with opening the bottom and middle sections of the dryer to flush the burning product out.
At the onset of the incident a Smart911 Alert was sent to residences downwind of the fire to shelter indoors due to the smoke conditions. The request was lifted after about 2 hours.
The Otter Tail Valley Railroad placed a hold on train traffic, as fire crews were working near the rail line.
Fergus Falls crews were on scene for 5 hours, with mutual aid departments clearing the scene after approximately 2 1/2 hours.
The Fergus Falls Fire Department responded with two engines, one ladder truck, one rescue truck and four command staff with mutual aid departments bringing an additional six engines, five water tenders, and two ladder trucks.
At the peak of the incident there were 90 firefighters on scene or at the ready in staging;
The cause of the fire was the result from drying soybeans and the fire appears to have been unintentional
No injuries were reported were reported at the scene by first responders.
Latest News
