GRANDIN, N.D. – Nearby residents of a grain elevator fire here were asked to evacuate Monday morning as strong winds hampered firefighting efforts.
Crews were continuing to fight flames coming out of the top of the grain elevator at 943 Industrial Drive at 2:30 p.m., though Cass County Patrol Deputy Joe Hedin said the fire was "90 percent contained." At the end of the day, Hedin said the status was the same.
Hedin said crews would remain in Grandin, a town of about 180 people located 30 miles north of Fargo, overnight and possibly into the coming days to monitor hot spots in the elevator. The building owned by Hubbard Feeds appears to be a total loss.
After the fire started at about 9:45 a.m., firefighters asked residents of the two houses closest to the grain elevator to evacuate, Hedin said.
One of the homeowners had already left, and the residents of the other house were renters who decided to stay. The evacuation was optional. Hedin said the evacuation was "mostly precautionary" and that residents were not in immediate danger.
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The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for northeastern North Dakota Monday morning, as the region was slated to see winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.
Hedin said strong winds "didn't help the situation" as firefighters battled the flames.
Emergency personnel are now setting up a perimeter around the Hubbard Feeds facility in Grandin, N.D. after a morning blaze consumed the facility. Firefighters from at least four communities are on the scene. Posted by Cory Erickson on Monday, October 12, 2015
"The windy conditions contributed to the intensity and magnitude of the incident, resulting in a period of time in which firefighters had difficulty containing the blaze," Cass County Sgt. Tim Briggeman said in a news release
Twelve local agencies from North Dakota and Minnesota, including F-M Ambulance and the Salvation Army, responded to the fire, Briggeman said in the release.
One firefighter was injured in the blaze. His injuries were not life-threatening, Hedin said.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the fire marshal has been contacted and was on his way Monday afternoon, Briggeman said in the release.
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