Fire heavily damages Fergus Falls church, nearby school evacuated

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR-Daily Journal Media) – Fire has heavily damaged a church in Fergus Falls.

Fire Chief Ryan Muchow said crews were called to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church at 9:04 a.m. Tuesday.

“By the time we arrived, the school was evacuated. They brought all the students to Walgreens (parking lot) and from there they bussed them to Kennedy Secondary School and reunited them with their parents,” said Muchow.

Muchow said that anyone who was left in the building was evacuated.

“We believe the fire has followed from the basement up to the roof along the exhaust from a generator,” added Muchow.

Muchow said the roof started to sag in the area where the generator exhausts to the roof because of the heat and fire conditions underneath.

Mutual aid is being provided by Elizabeth, Underwood and Foxhome Fire Departments.

“The police department has the roads around OLV blocked so there will be some congestion for the next couple of hours. Anybody that is motoring through the area to be mindful of the blockades that are set up,” said Muchow.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.