Dodge County Fire: Seven-Hour Battle Against A Shed Blaze

West Concord, MN (KROC-AM News)- Multiple southeast Minnesota firefighting agencies fought a fire for several hours in Dodge County Wednesday.

A news release issued by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says the firefight began shortly before 11:45 a.m. and ended about seven hours later.

Crews dealt with warm and dry conditions along with strong winds.

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Rapidly-Spreading Fire Torches Multiple Structures at Rural West Concord Property

A 911 caller reported an unoccupied shed on their property had started on fire in the 56000 block of 245th Ave. in rural West Concord.

The first deputy to respond reported a structure at the property was mostly engulfed and had largely burned down. A barn nearby was also burning and its roof had partially collapsed, the news release says.

A hay shed, two silos, a barn, and several outbuildings had caught fire by the time a second deputy arrived. Authorities say strong winds were causing the fire to spread quickly.

The flames eventually reached a treeline on the property.

Embers from Wood Pile Suspect Cause

The homeowner told law enforcement that he burned a wood pile on Tuesday night.

He reported fully extinguishing the fire and said it was smoldering when he checked it Wednesday morning but did not see flames.

The homeowner stated he saw embers from the pile ignite a nearby barn as the winds picked up throughout the morning on Wednesday, which prompted the 911 call, the news release says.

Firefighter Evaluated by EMS

None of the homeowners were injured.

One of the firefighters reported experiencing shortness of breath and was treated at the scene by EMS, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says.

Crews wrapped up the firefight around 6:40 p.m. but had to return to the scene about an hour later to put out a small rekindle at one of the structures, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says.