State Fire Marshal Investigating Cause of Fire at Taracon Precast near Hawley Wednesday

HAWLEY, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says the state fire marshal’s office is investigating a blaze yesterday that damaged Taracon Precast near Hawley.

Around a dozen fire departments from Clay, Becker and Norman Counties responded and had the fire under control within about two hours.

Taracon Precast, owned by the Spring Prairie Hutterite Colony, manufactures concrete panels and related materials used in building projects in several states.

The company reported that 250 containers of gasoline and other flammable materials were inside the building.

It is believed there was at least one explosion.

Empting says a section of the roof collapsed and he estimates there is fire and smoke damage to about half of the large building.