Engineer’s appraisal will determine future plans
Mutual aid was requested and received from fire departments throughout the area when a grain fire was reported at the Brewster location of New Vision Coop.
The fire was reported Monday morning, June 10, and firefighters began attempts to put out the fire inside one of the concrete bins. New Vision General Manager Frank McDowell estimated that the grain silo, along with neighboring bins, were at twenty to thirty percent of full capacity. The large silo has a capacity of 75,000 bushels.
Electrical power and natural gas supplies were disconnected to the elevator when the fire was reported, as a safety precaution.
As the fire remained inside the bin, grain was removed and water sprayed into the bin to cool the smoldering grain and put out the fire. Brewster Fire Chief John Garmer explained that water tankers were requested from neighboring departments, to keep from using all the water from the city water tower.
Fire Departments from Heron Lake, Okabena, Round Lake and Worthington began assisting Brewster on Monday and Tuesday. Fulda and Wilmont firefighters were also asked for mutual aid and water tankers. Water was hauled to Brewster from Windom and Lismore as well.
On Tuesday evening, as firefighters worked, an explosion occurred due to the burning grain dust. “It basically lifted the roof,” Garmer pointed out. The concrete roof section was lifted and then fell back into place, with chunks breaking off and falling to the ground. Several ambulances responded to the incident.
Amazingly, only one firefighter was injured when the explosion occurred. A Worthington firefighter suffered a broken rib from falling concrete debris. Garmer said one of the Brewster fire trucks was also damaged when the concrete fell.
At that time, many of the assisting departments returned to their communities. The fire, however, expanded into the neighboring bins on Wednesday, and firefighters continued to work.
Mutual aid continued as firefighters doused the burning grain, and attempted to extinguish the fire. Grain was hauled out of the bins, and piled at the neighboring New Vision fertilizer plant.
Additional resources, including Behrends Farm and Gravel and the Nobles County Public Works department supplied dump trucks to help haul the grain out. “New Vision reached out to other resources to help,” Garmer stated.
By noon on Saturday, most of the fire had been extinguished. “The fire was completely out in all but one bin, and it was under control in that bin,” McDowell said.
On Sunday, that bin and smoldering grain were again doused with water. “They have pronounced the fire out today,” McDowell said on Monday.
Garmer pointed out the mutual aid was greatly appreciated. “We wanted to keep everyone fresh and let them get back to their jobs and lives, too,” he said.
Over the course of the battle, beginning on Monday and going into the weekend, assistance and support were also received from the community and individuals. Food and drinks were bought for the firefighters. “All of the help makes a difference,” Garmer added.
As McDowell explained on Monday, all the water that was pumped onto the fire has gone to the lowest level of the elevator, the boot pit. “It has to be pumped out, and all the remaining grain removed,” he said.
Two to three weeks may be required to complete the emptying, at which time an engineer will evaluate the damage to the grain silo. This includes all visible and structural damage, electrical systems and more. In addition, collateral damage to neighboring bins will be evaluated.
“The engineer will give us a damage appraisal and solution proposals,” McDowell added. At that time, in possibly a month, decisions will be made as to how to proceed.
As the grain continues to be emptied from the silos, it has been placed at the New Vision fertilizer plant and near the elevator itself. The grain will be cleaned up in the near future.
