(Gowatertown.net – Watertown, SD) A Tuesday night fire has destroyed the John Deere farm implement dealership in Madison, Minnesota, and led to the evacuation of some nearby homes and apartments.
The Lac Qui Parle County Sheriff’s Office says the fire at Midwest Machinery broke out just after 7:00 p.m. with reports of smoke coming from the building.
Fire departments from Madison, Dawson, Marietta, Montevideo, Ortonville, Bellingham, Appleton, Canby, Nassau, Milan, Big Stone City, Revillo, and Milbank all responded.
Due to the risk of smoke inhalation, the residents of 15 nearby homes and two apartment buildings were evacuated. The smoke plume from the fire was smelled by residents 10 miles north of Madison.
It took fire crews three hours to get the fire under control. Some units remained on the scene overnight looking for hot spots.
In all, more than 60 emergency personnel and 23 different agencies responded to the call.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
