Cause Revealed of Out of Control Rochester-Area Grass Fire That Destroyed Building

Pine Island, MN (KROC-AM News)- Officials have revealed the cause of an out-of-control grass fire that destroyed a building in rural Pine Island. 

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The Pine Island Fire Department says crews responded to the blaze shortly before 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. 

While responding to the grass fire, firefighters were informed the flames had spread to a nearby outbuilding and had ignited the structure. 

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Grass Fire Destroys Outbuilding in Pine Island, MN, Officials Reveal Fire Cause

The grass fire broke out at a rural property southwest of Pine Island in the 56100 block of 265th Ave. The fire had destroyed the building by the time firefighters extinguished the blaze. 

Multiple acres of the land were also torched in the blaze, the Pine Island Fire Department says. 

A damage estimate is not yet available and the contents of the outbuilding have not been released. No injuries were reported at the scene of the fire, officials say. 

The Pine Island Fire Department says the embers from a controlled burn in a barrel spread onto the grass and ignited the fire. 

Officials are urging everyone to use caution while burning during the dry early-spring conditions. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicates fire danger as of April 10 is high in Dodge County and moderate in Olmsted and Goodhue Counties.

A burn permit is currently required in all southeastern Minnesota counties, according to the DNR.