(KIWA) — An explosion and fire at Sheldon’s Kent Feed Mill early Thursday, October 1st, brought firefighters back to the facility just 10 days after another explosion there.
Sheldon Fire Company Chief Brad Hindt says crews were paged to the mill on Sheldon’s west side around 12:30 a.m. for a reported explosion with no visible fire.
Firefighters met with employees and assessed the situation. O’Brien County Emergency Management deployed a drone to check the building for damage and fire. That inspection found neither, and crews decided to wait before entering.
Around 1 a.m., two groups of firefighters entered from different sides of the building to investigate. They discovered smoke inside and flames coming from a cooler. Sheldon then requested additional personnel from the Sanborn Fire Department and assistance from the Sheldon Community Ambulance Team.
Hindt says firefighters entered again around 1:15 a.m. and encountered active flames coming from the cooler’s second-floor door.
After bringing the flames under control, another crew and Kent employees cut a hole in the cooler’s lower section on the main floor. Crews spent about three hours removing product and wetting down hot spots.
Hindt says damage was contained to the cooler and product. No injuries were reported. Twenty-six firefighters responded and used approximately 4,000 gallons of water.
Sheldon Police and the O’Brien and Sioux County Sheriff’s Offices also assisted.
The Sheldon Fire Company returned to service at 6 a.m. The cause remains under investigation.
The previous explosion at the mill occurred on September 21st.
