On August 30, 2024, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a structure fire on the north side of Lake Lida, northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. The fire, which started around 1:38 p.m., fully engulfed a garage upon the arrival of emergency responders. Both the Pelican Rapids and Vergas Fire Departments worked to extinguish the flames, but the garage and its contents were declared a total loss.
Initial investigations suggest that the fire started due to a vehicle left running inside the garage, and officials have determined the cause to be non-suspicious. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The incident highlights the importance of fire safety, particularly around vehicles and confined spaces.