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.
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