Multiple agencies respond to fire in rural West Concord

A fire that began in an unoccupied shed quickly spread to multiple buildings at a farm site last week in rural Dodge County.
Multiple public safety agencies responded to the scene April 22 at 56314 245th Avenue, east of West Concord.
“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” at 11:42 a.m.
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.”
Dodge County Road 11 was closed for most of the day to allow tankers and water sources to come and go without traffic issues.
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 by 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 an 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 reviewing the incident.