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10 November 2023
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Central Minnesota grain elevator fire brings out 90 firefighters, US
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Six central Minnesota fire departments battled a fire that engulfed a grain dryer at the Farmers Elevator on Sunday, 12 November 2023. The fire was reported at 18h31 on Sunday at the elevator, which is located at 406 East Junius Avenue, just southeast of the city's downtown, according to a Fergus Falls Fire Department news release. Arriving crews noticed the grain dryer was on fire and there was risk of flames spreading to the wooden structure of the elevator.
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.
Fergus Fall Fire Chief Ryan Muchow said quick water application prevented the fire from extending to the wood constructed elevator, however, it took time to clear the dryer of burning debris.
Fergus Falls crews were on scene for five hours.
Muchow shared that the fire was unintentional. Drying beans was the cause. No damage estimate was yet available.
Joining Fergus Falls Fire Department on scene were Elizabeth and Underwood departments for automatic aid. Mutual aid was requested from Dalton, Breckenridge and Perham departments as well.
During the fire, smoke from the scene caused a portion of the city to shelter indoors to avoid the conditions outdoors for about two hours.
At the peak of the incident, 90 firefighters were on scene, according to a press release. 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.
Sources: Fergus Falls Daily Journal AG Week, Lakes Area Radio
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.
Fergus Fall Fire Chief Ryan Muchow said quick water application prevented the fire from extending to the wood constructed elevator, however, it took time to clear the dryer of burning debris.
Fergus Falls crews were on scene for five hours.
Muchow shared that the fire was unintentional. Drying beans was the cause. No damage estimate was yet available.
Joining Fergus Falls Fire Department on scene were Elizabeth and Underwood departments for automatic aid. Mutual aid was requested from Dalton, Breckenridge and Perham departments as well.
During the fire, smoke from the scene caused a portion of the city to shelter indoors to avoid the conditions outdoors for about two hours.
At the peak of the incident, 90 firefighters were on scene, according to a press release. 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.
Sources: Fergus Falls Daily Journal AG Week, Lakes Area Radio
