Elevator Full of Sunflower Seeds Destroyed in Mayville, ND
Grand Forks Herald
(TNS)
Nov. 16—MAYVILLE, N.D. — Mayville Fire and Rescue crew members were searching for and hosing down hot spots Sunday morning, Nov. 16, as they worked to extinguish a fire that started the night before at the O'Brien Seed Company grain facility.
No one was injured in the fire that destroyed the elevator, which had been full of sunflower seeds, according to Assistant Fire Chief Wade Freehauf. Extinguishing the fire completely is likely to take several days, said Michele Raguse, a member of Mayville Fire and Rescue.
Massive flames could be seen coming from the building during the peak of the emergency. A dramatic photo by the Hillsboro Banner's Cory Erickson showed fire engines surrounding the building, ladders extended, while battling the blaze.
The cause of the fire, which started around 7 p.m. Saturday, is unknown, Freehauf said.
A number of firefighting units were on hand to assist in combating the blaze Saturday night, he said. Aid came from nearby towns and even Grand Forks Air Force Base.
"There were about a hundred people here," Freehauf said. "It was hectic."
This part of the elevator is a complete loss, he said. But a nearby grain storage facility to the northwest, also owned by Larry O'Brien of Mayville, was not impacted.
According to a Facebook message posted by the Traill County Emergency Rescue unit on Sunday morning, the fire "seems to be contained at this point. (Firefighters will remain on scene) likely into the next couple of days to manage any type of flare-ups that may occur. Winds have died down significantly, but those that are in the immediate four-block radius east and southeast of the elevator will likely continue to have thicker smoke as they step outside. Smoke inhalation is serious and those that believe they are experiencing smoke inhalation should seek immediate medical treatment."
"Embers were large and carried 8-9 blocks east/southeast of the elevator," the message continued. "Last home checks were done at 11:30 p.m. with no embers or fires reported outside of the containment area."
On Saturday night, Mayville and Reynolds fire department personnel sprayed the roofs of homes facing Second Avenue Northeast, across the street from the elevator, to protect them from flying embers. Other homeowners in the vicinity received notification to "keep an eye on their homes," Freehauf said.
Michele Raguse, who was also on hand Sunday morning, had worked to fight the fire Saturday night. Her husband, Chris Raguse, also a fire department member, rushed back from a hunting trip at Browns Valley to take the overnight midnight-to- 6 a.m. shift, she said. The Mayville residents are two of the community's 26-member, all-volunteer fire department.
Adding to the concern is the fact that the elevator is located next to a lumber yard, Raguse said. "We have to make sure (that doesn't catch fire)."
The white smoke that was emanating from the elevator on Sunday was "condensation from the water," Raguse said. If the smoke was black, it would indicate intense, volatile fire.
On Sunday morning, Liz Olson, who owns the Top Hat Lounge in Mayville with her husband, had opened her business and brought pizzas for the firefighters on duty.
"What a mess," Olson said, surveying the scene. "This is such a small town. We know all these guys."
Olson opened the lounge so the volunteers could be fed and have access to restrooms, she said. "There's nothing open in town."
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