Five fire calls over weekend

HOWARD COUNTY - Cresco Community Fire Department had a busy weekend of fighting fires. Fire Chief Neal Stapelkamp elaborated on the calls.

“Cresco firefighters volunteered over 171 hours responding to these calls in addition to the time spent at the station cleaning up, following the calls, and getting equipment back into shape to be placed back into service. Thank you to all these volunteers as well as those who assisted with these responses.”

 

Saturday, May 9, 3:56 p.m.

Pat Ollendieck reported straw bales on fire at 6839 Pine Ave. Approximately half the Cresco Fire Department responded in lieu of a second call coming in a minute later. 

Cresco Fire responded with one engine, one tanker, two brush trucks and one Gator. While on scene, firefighters put water onto a trash pile that likely started the fire. Ollendieck requested that the bales be allowed to burn to get rid of the mess. 

Neighbors were alerted of the potential of smoke throughout the evening and night. Ollendieck monitored the bales throughout the night to ensure there was no danger. The area around the bales was free from potential spread. 

Mutual aid assistance was requested from Lime Springs due to the double call response by Cresco Fire to ensure enough resources would be available. There were no injuries reported. Also assisting was Cresco Fire Dispatch and Howard County Sherriff’s Department. 

 

Saturday, May 9, 3:57 p.m.

Robert McIntire reported a shed on fire at his residence, 2962 328th Ave. Upon arrival, the shed was fully involved with fire. The approximately 25’ x 50’ shed had only a couple small items stored inside, and they were removed by Mr. McIntire before the fire spread. Cresco Fire responded with one engine, one tanker and one rescue vehicle. 

Upon arrival, multiple hose lines were deployed, and the fire was brought under control quickly. The area around the building was also soaked down, as the fire likely started from burning rubbish in the area. 

Mutual Aid assistance was requested from Ridgeway Fire due to the double call response by Cresco Fire to ensure enough resources would be available. 

Water was hauled by tanker shuttle from Cresco by both departments. There were no injuries reported. Also assisting was the Cresco Police Department, Regional Health Ambulance Service and Cresco Fire Dispatch. 

 

Saturday, May 9, 10:30 p.m.

The fire department was paged to Cresco Food Technologies on Highway 9 East.

There was a report of a fire in the drying room of the facility. 

Information was received that all employees had evacuated the building and were accounted for. Utilities were isolated to reduce risk during the response, including a lock out to ensure safety for firefighters. 

The firefighters made an aggressive interior attack after stretching hose lines a considerable distance through the facility to gain entry to the area of origin. Multiple firefighters brought the fire under control in this area. Additionally, firefighters monitored the area, including the roof of the facility, to ensure there was no fire spread. 

Cresco Fire was dismissed from the scene and returned to the station for considerable clean-up of equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) following the response. 

The water supply was from the fire hydrant located across the street, therefore Highway 9 was completely shut down during the response. Traffic control was handled by the Cresco Police Department. 

Also assisting was Regional Health Ambulance Service & Cresco Fire Dispatch. There were no injuries to firefighters. There was considerable damage to equipment and items in the drying room.

 

Sunday, May 10, 12:53 a.m.

Employees of Cresco Food Technologies reported smoke as they began to clean up and restart equipment. 

Cresco Fire was dispatched to find an additional small smoldering fire that was discovered when exhaust fans were started by Cresco Food employees. The fans likely fueled a smoldering ember remaining in the exhaust system of the dryer. Access to the exhaust area was gained and the small fire was extinguished. 

Cresco Fire was assisted by the Cresco Police Department, Regional Health Ambulance Service and Cresco Fire Dispatch. 

 

Sunday, May 10, 2:53 a.m.

A shed fire was called in by a neighbor who alerted Damon Kintz. Mrs. Kintz also called in the alarm for their woodworking shed at their residence, located at 23196 Kings Road. 

Upon arrival, the shed was mostly involved with fire. The focus was to protect the home exposure to the east of the shed from the intense heat. 

Multiple hose lines were stretched, and firefighters brought the fire under control. They continued to fight the blaze mostly from the exterior, as the roof had mostly collapsed. 

The building will be considered a total loss with the contents and equipment sustaining significant loss as well. There were no injuries reported. Also assisting was the Cresco Police Department, Regional Health Ambulance Service, MiEnergy and Cresco Fire Dispatch.