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Fire leveled Beaver Creek Elevator 30 years ago

(Reprinted from the Hills Crescent, Dec. 31, 1970)

Beaver Creek Co-op Elevator is leveled by fire Monday evening.

The Beaver Creek Co-op Elevator, a farmer's cooperative, burned to the ground last Monday night. The fire was noticed when an automatic siren sounded at about 6 p.m. Mel Kinsey, employee of the firm, heard it from the cafŽ in Beaver Creek and went to investigate.

He sounded the fire alarm and then attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, but the blaze was far too hot for a small extinguisher. Trucks located in the elevator were removed safely, but that turned out to be the only property in the building saved. Total loss mounted to about a quarter of a million dollars, directors indicated.

The cause of the fire is another question. A corn cracker was used Monday, and the possibility of an electrical failure exists. The fire did start in this portion of the building.

A storage building, just east of the main elevator, was saved. It was filled to capacity with feed and other supplies. A grain dryer and outside mixer was also saved, or so it seemed at this writing. Internal damage could change the picture, however.

The Beaver Creek Lumber Co., another cooperative firm, also was endangered almost throughout the fire. Constant cooling was necessary on the end of the building and roof in order to prevent a spread. Had it caught fire, the village of Beaver Creek probably would all be black at this writing, for it is quite well stocked with lumber and other material that is highly combustible. No doubt the fire would have spread rapidly to other buildings, all of which are frame, save two or three. North of the fire a filling station and another building were endangered.
The Hills Fire Department answered the call for help shortly after six o'clock Monday evening and got there while the building was still standing, but very much ablaze. It was readily known that it couldn't be saved, but the other nearby buildings could be.

Seven fire departments were present: Beaver Creek, Hills, Valley Springs, Brandon, Garretson, Luverne and Hardwick. Water was hauled in from various sources as the Beaver Creek supply rapidly ran out as the seven fire departments poured it on.

Damage other than to the elevator resulted in the complete destruction of a railroad car standing alongside of the elevator. Extreme heat melted it and the rails into a twisted mess.

Residents of Beaver Creek were reminded of a previous fire that took a cafŽ, grocery store and another building about 20 years ago. They, too, burned on a cold night, like Monday night. Like then, the fire Monday night was not helped by a strong wind. Had it been, the story would be much different.

We talked to one of the directors and plans are already under way to put up a new building. In fact, some discussion had been had by the board in regards to a more fire-proof structure. Elevators throughout a wide area have been burning quite frequently, and they are getting concerned. The many pieces of equipment being used by elevators and feed companies these days is no doubt one of the main causes of fire, and the board was anxious to remove it. They now have their work cut out for them.

Manager Frank Ponto is presently on vacation in Texas and is no doubt in for a big surprise when he learns what has happened at the Beaver Creek Co-op Elevator.

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