(KIWA) — A feed mill fire south of Sioux Center brought firefighters from three communities to the scene Sunday evening, September 6, and kept crews working for five and a half hours.
Sioux Center Fire Chief David Van Holland says firefighters were called around 8:05 p.m. to a report of smoke coming from a feed mill at 4195 US 75 Avenue.
Crews found a small amount of smoke coming from a bin. Van Holland says firefighters took the bin apart and removed as much material as they could, but flare-ups complicated their efforts.
Firefighters shut off electricity to the mill and soaked the bin and its contents with water to extinguish the fire. However, the water caused the product to harden, requiring crews to use a chainsaw to cut it out.
Van Holland estimates damage from the fire and the resulting work at between $20,000 and $30,000. He says considerable cleanup remained.
No injuries were reported, although Van Holland says the lengthy response left firefighters tired.
The Ireton and Orange City fire departments assisted Sioux Center firefighters, along with the Sioux Center Ambulance Squad.
Van Holland says spontaneous combustion appeared to be the cause of the fire.
