(Griswold, IA) – Multiple fire departments from Cass and Montgomery Counties responded to a massive blaze at a building Wednesday afternoon, in rural Cass County. Griswold Fire Chief J-C Wyman told KJAN News this (Thursday) morning, the blaze was reported at around 4:45-p.m., when flames were visible coming from a structure at 58708 Yankton Road, near the Cass-Montgomery County line, and thick black smoke was visible for miles around.
When they arrived, he said they found an approximately 80-by-80 foot steel-framed auto shop fully involved in flames and smoke, along with numerous burning vehicles outside the building and some Ag equipment on fire inside.
He said it was a dangerous situation, with numerous explosions coming from several directions.
Chief Wyman said they requested and received a lot of help from area fire departments, in terms of personnel and equipment.
Firefighters battled the flames as well as the heat and humidity, but their thirst was quenched thanks to donations of bottled water from several sources.
Wyman said Red Oak brought their aerial truck to the scene so the flames could be fought from above, as well as on the ground. No injuries or cases of heat exhaustion were reported. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this point in time.
Chief Wyman said the cause may never be known. Griswold crews were on the scene until about 8:30-p.m., with other crews heading back to their quarters about 45-minutes earlier. The shop was deemed a total loss. A nearby residence was not affected by the heat and flames, thanks to a northwest wind.
Wyman said he was very thankful for for all the help they received.
