Farm building ravaged by fire

Fire ravaged a steel equipment shed Thursday at a farmstead located southeast of Brainerd, sending a plume of black smoke into the air and destroying the building.

More than a dozen Brainerd firefighters arrived on scene at 11044 70th Street — about 10 miles southeast of Brainerd — to a fully-engulfed 40- by 60-foot shed. One firefighter laid on top of the extended ladder from the ladder truck to hose down the shed, while black and grey smoke bellowed through the air. Other firefighters fought the fire from the ground.

In addition to the ladder truck, the Brainerd Fire Department had one engine truck, one squad truck and three tankers on scene. Fire trucks had to run back and forth to retrieve more water at its Brainerd Industrial Park site.

Homeowner Joe Hynes stood on his property in disbelief, watching as the flames destroy his shed filled with machinery that he uses on his farm. Hynes said he has horses and cattle on the property but they were not harmed.

“I was doing errands on the other side of Brainerd,” Hynes said when he found out about the fire. “My girlfriend was home at the time and I’m not sure if she or a passerby called it in.

“On my way home I could see the smoke.”

Hynes said he was pleased that the fire never reached his home and unattached garage located near the shed. Hynes’ shed that burned was surrounded by another large metal shed and a smaller wooden barn.

The fire was reported at 4:30 p.m.

Brainerd Fire Chief Kevin Stunek said the cause of the fire is being investigated. He said the shed is a total loss and the estimated value is about $85,000.

Stunek said the Nisswa Fire Department covered the calls at the Brainerd Fire Hall during the fire, as well as assisted on scene. Stunek credited all the firefighters for their quick response and quick work at the scene to battle the fire.

North Memorial Ambulance, Crow Wing County Sheriff’s office and Crow Wing Power assisted at the scene.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl.