GRANDIN, NORTH DAKOTA - Nearby residents of a grain elevator fire here were asked to evacuate Monday as strong winds hampered firefighting efforts.
Cass County Patrol Deputy Joe Hedin said the fire was "90 percent contained" as of about 1:40 p.m Crews were continuing to fight flames coming out of the top of the grain elevator at 943 Industrial Drive at 2:30 p.m.
Earlier in the day, firefighters asked residents of the two houses closest to the grain elevator to evacuate, Hedin said.
One of the homeowners had already left, and the residents of the other house were renters who decided to stay. The evacuation was optional. Hedin said the evacuation was "mostly precautionary" and that residents were not in immediate danger.
The fire was first reported at 9:44 a.m., according to Sgt. Tara Morris of the Cass County Sheriff's Department.
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Hedin said crews would remain in Grandin, a town of about 180 people located 30 miles north of Fargo, overnight and possibly into the coming days to monitor hot spots in the elevator. The building appears to be a total loss.
More than 10 local agencies from North Dakota and Minnesota have responded to the fire, Hedin said.
One firefighter was injured in the blaze. His injuries were not life-threatening, Hedin said. Hedin said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for northeastern North Dakota on Monday morning, as the region was slated to see northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.
Hedin said strong winds "didn't help the situation" as firefighters battled the flames.
