(photo: KFGO reporter Joe Leier)
HAWLEY, Minn. (KFGO) – Sheriff Mark Empting says the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota Fire Marshal’s Office have determined the fire at Taracon Precast near Hawley on Wednesday was accidental.
Empting says a worker was cutting rebar with a handheld power cutter and the sparks caused other material to catch fire. Staff tried to put the fire out, but were unsuccessful and it turned into a large blaze.
The Hawley and Glyndon fire departments were dispatched initially and reported heavy, black smoke. Nearly a dozen more fire crews were called in after the company reported that 250 containers of gasoline and other flammable materials were inside the building north of Highway 10.
Smoke could be seen for several miles.
Taracon Precast makes concrete products for residential and commercial customers in several upper midwestern states.
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