A grain elevator in Hawley, Minnesota, was completely destroyed in a fire that began late Sunday night and continued into Monday according to reporting by Valley News Live. The blaze was first reported by a BNSF train crew around 11:00 p.m. on February 25. Strong winds exacerbated the situation, challenging the efforts of firefighters from 17 different departments who responded to the scene.
The elevator, situated near Hawley's downtown area, posed a risk to nearby structures including city hall, the post office, and other businesses. Firefighters worked to prevent the spread of the fire, which was spreading embers and debris across a large area of the city.
As a result of the fire, the City of Hawley imposed a temporary water restriction, and the closure of Hawley Public Schools for Monday, February 26.
