Gillian Massie with 650 CKOM, reported on a grain elevator fire in Loreburn, Saskatoon that took place Sunday morning, quickly reduced the structure to a pile of smoldering rubble. The loss of this iconic landmark has left the residents in shock and uncertainty about the future of their town.
The first call reporting the fire at the F.W. Cobs Company grain elevator came in at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Lawrence Casey, the mayor of Loreburn and a member of the local firefighting service, vividly recalls the moment he received the call. Photos shared on social media captured the magnitude of the fire, with huge clouds of smoke rising into the sky as the flames consumed the elevator.
Fire crews from the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department and the Elbow Volunteer Fire Department quickly joined forces to combat the blaze. Approximately 40 individuals, including community members who brought additional water trucks, rallied together to confront the inferno. Despite the overwhelming nature of the situation, the wind remained calm, and the direction of the smoke and embers stayed away from the town, preventing further damage.
The Loreburn grain elevator held great historical significance, having served the community since its construction in the mid-'70s. Despite the devastation, Casey remains optimistic that F.W. Cobs Company will choose to rebuild in Loreburn.
