Area firefighters were dispatched to the Keith and Darla Schmuck property two miles north of Luverne at 12:53 p.m. Thursday, March 10. They battled an intense blaze, fanned by 50 mile-per-hour winds and fueled by many combustibles in the shop. Crews stayed on site until after 4 p.m. Here, firefighters spray a side of the home with water as a preventative measure and First Assistant Chief Tim Anderson talks to Keith and Darla.Keith said, "The fire department did what they could. They were great."Darla said, "I have such a respect for what they do. They earn every bit of pay they get." The Schmucks, who were both working at the time of the fire, said they were thankful the wind didn’t blow the flames toward their home and that neighbor Coleen Cragoe was able to call 911 right away. The exact cause is unknown, but arson isn’t suspected.Keith is a car enthusiast and lost a 1954 Ford pickup, an engine and some parts for a 1937 Chevy coupe, and of course, all the tools and equipment stocked in a typical car and woodworking shop. Most of the body of the coupe was out of the shop at the time of the fire, and Keith’s 1970 Chevelle SS was in another garage. Cory Schmuck and Seth Stegenga lost a racecar they had just finished and repainted for the upcoming season. Both also had automotive parts and tools in the shop. Darla had some antique furniture that she was going to refinish. Their grandchildren had things such as a Barbie Jeep and a bicycle in the shop. Son-in-law Brett Miller had floor jacks, a power washer, an air compressor and other tools there. Cory had childhood toys including a wagon and an old pedal tractor stored upstairs. There was a skid loader, a self-contained 42-inch snow blower, a 1960 John Deere tractor, a Kawasaki 4-wheeler with just 60 miles on it — all lost in the fire.Also lost in the fire were small collectibles that had sentimental value. For example, Keith had a wall full of old license plates that his father started collecting, and he continued that collection with registration years 1918 through 1975. Clean-up will be completed this week, and the family will rebuild the shop this spring.