Investigation Ongoing For Fire At Fergus Falls Church
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR) — At around 9 a.m., smoke started to come from inside the chapel to the office area. Students at the school next door to the chapel were evacuated and were bussed to Kennedy Secondary School.
“We arrived and there was smoke coming from an exhaust on the roof as well as smoke that was coming in or coming out through the front door to the chapel the church area,” said Dan Lipson, Division Chief Fergus Falls Fire Department.
The fire was out after half an hour with crews from Fergus Falls and Fire Departments from the surrounding area.
“It was a very difficult fire for us to fight and we did rely heavy on our mutual aid partners. So we ended up having the Underwood, the Elizabeth and the Foxhome Fire Department come out and help. As well as Ringdahl ambulance we needed their support, Fergus Falls Police Department and the Salvation Army,” said Lipson.
Crews at the scene were assessing the damage, according to Fire Chief Ryan Muchow, the roof began to sag in the area where the generator exhausts to the roof.
“It was within the walls and the floor, so it was hard for us to get to right away. So it took us a little bit to actually find out where the fire was. However there was smoldering that honestly we were chasing,” said Lipson.
There were no injuries reported and everyone was able to safely evacuate. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Church had released a statement saying that both classes and mass will be canceled until further notice on Friday.
