Large Minnesota Grain Elevator Destroyed by Fire

(KNSI) – Residents of Clinton, Minnesota, are mourning the loss of a town landmark and center of commerce.

Fire departments from a dozen cities, and at least one from South Dakota, rushed to a massive grain elevator fire Sunday morning. The fire started around 10:45 at the Wheaton-Dumont Cooperative Elevator. Departments from Wheaton, Dumont, and Clinton were all called to the scene. Graceville, Beardsley, Big Stone City, Browns Valley, Chokio, Herman, Morris, Norcross, Odessa, and Ortonville helped fight the fire.

Farmers, highway workers, and business owners brought water to the scene to help firefighters. A portion of Highway 75 through town was closed as the water was pumped from a nearby lake, and residents were asked to conserve water as a way to aid in the firefighting efforts.

Temperatures were in the 90’s across much of the state Sunday. The Big Stone County Sheriff’s Office thanked residents for bringing food and cold beverages to the firefighters and also setting up places for them to seek shade.

Residents within a three block area of the elevator were evacuated as a civil emergency was declared. The evacuation order has been lifted, but those in the area with breathing issues were asked to take precautions.

No word on a cause of that fire.

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