A fire Thursday destroyed the main grain elevator at Munich Elevator and Oil Co. in Munich, N.D.
The elevator was fully involved in flames when the Munich Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly after the call came in at 3:30 p.m., according to Fire Chief Bruce Wirth.
He called in eight other fire departments from surrounding communities to help fight the fire and to protect nearby buildings, as well as fuel and chemical tanks. Another 10 or 12 farmers brought water tanks for the firefighting effort.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control by about 7 p.m. However, some firefighters stayed through the night as the fire continued to burn.
"It's still burning itself out," Wirth said this morning.
ADVERTISEMENT
Munich is located in Cavalier County, about 45 miles north of Devils Lake.
Wirth estimated about 50 volunteer firefighters and another 40 to 50 people helped with the effort. Local residents provided food and water to those battling the blaze.
"We poured a lot of water on it," he said. "Thank God the wind wasn't up yesterday."
The elevator reportedly was filled near capacity with grain from this year's harvest. However, damage estimate has not been determined.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
