Multiple agencies respond to fire in rural West Concord

Multiple public safety agencies responded to a call of a fire in an unoccupied shed at 56314 245th Avenue in rural West Concord on April 22 

“A responding deputy arrived on scene and observed a structure south of the driveway that was

nearly fully engulfed and had largely burned down,” Sheriff Scott Rose wrote in a release. “The deputy also noted that the roof of a nearby barn had partially collapsed and was actively burning.”

According to Rose, the homeowner reported that a wood pile had burned on the south side of the property the previous evening. 

“He stated the fire had been fully extinguished at that time and was checked again the following morning, at which point it was smoldering but showed no visible flames,” Rose wrote. “As wind conditions increased later in the day, the homeowner observed embers ignite a nearby

barn, prompting the 911 call.”

Then a second deputy who arrived on scene reported multiple structures involved, including a hay shed, two silos, a barn, and several outbuildings. 

“Due to strong winds, the fire spread rapidly from south to north and extended into a tree line on the north side of the property,” Rose wrote. 

According to Rose the West Concord Fire Department and Mantorville Fire Department were first to respond and “quickly requested additional resources for fire suppression and water supply.”

 Numerous agencies assisted throughout the incident, including:

Fire Departments:

West Concord Fire

Mantorville Fire

Pine Island Fire

Dodge Center Fire

Kasson Fire

Byron Fire

Rochester Fire

Claremont Fire

Zumbrota Fire

Wanamingo Fire

Emergency Medical Services:

West Concord Ambulance

Dodge Center Ambulance

Zumbrota Ambulance

Mayo Clinic Ambulance

Law Enforcement and State Agencies:

Minnesota State Patrol

Minnesota State Duty Officer

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

State Fire Marshal’s Office

“No injuries were reported among the homeowners,” Rose wrote. “ One firefighter experienced shortness of breath during the incident and was treated on scene by EMS personnel.”

Rose said the incident was cleared at approximately 6:40 p.m., nearly seven hours after the initial call, at which time the roadway was reopened. 

“Fire crews were called back approximately one hour later to address a small rekindle within one of the structures,” Rose wrote. 

Rose said the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are currently reviewing the incident.