Monday fire takes Hawkeye Sanitation Building

CRESCO - It was not a great way to start a Monday!

The Cresco, Lime Springs and Protivin Fire Departments, area EMT personnel, Howard County Sheriff’s Dept. and Cresco Police Dept. all responded to a fire at Hawkeye Sanitation, located on Airport Road on the west edge of Cresco at approximately 10 a.m. Nov. 6. 

A shed that houses much of the bailed recycled items for Hawkeye, was on fire with heavy smoke bellowing through the rooftop. 

Firemen did have a few hydrants to use, but had to also set up a portable tank system in keeping pumpers operating and spraying the building.  Protivin and Lime Springs Fire Departments both were hauling water, along with the Cresco F.D. in keeping the tank system full. 

Cresco firemen also set up the ladder truck to spray from above in keeping smoke and any flames down as a nearby excavator was brought in to tear down already damaged walls and steel siding.  

Cresco Police did an exceptional job on Highway 9 in keeping traffic flowing and allowing emergency personnel to get to the blaze. 

No one was injured during the fire. The building is a complete loss. 

The unexpected morning blaze started due to a brush fire that carried over to the building site from a scheduled burn taking place nearby.  

Higher than expected winds shifted the fire toward the building.