Grain elevator fire in northwest Minnesota prompts evacuation originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
A grain elevator fire believed to have been caused by a lightning strike prompted an evacuation order in northwestern Minnesota Friday.
According to the Norman County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was reported at a privately owned grain elevator at around 5 a.m. The investigation determined that the fire may have been started by a lightning strike.
A nearby building containing hazardous materials also caught fire.
The fire resulted in an evacuation order in the area, though the order was lifted later that day at around 1 p.m. when air quality was found to be safe. Still, residents were encouraged to stay indoors for the rest of the day.
The fire also caused a power outage that resulted in the city’s water supply losing pressure. A boil water advisory was issued until further notice, meaning residents are encouraged to boil water before using water to drink, prepare food or brush teeth.
County roads 3 and 18 were also closed following the fire but have since reopened.
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This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
