Lisbon Elevator Fire Broke Out Just After Demolition Began.
Demolition of a century-old grain elevator had just started when a spark from a torch lit part of the structure on fire Monday.
Firefighters from 11 towns responded around 1:30 p.m. to battle the blaze at Wilkin Elevator, 102 E. Fifth Ave. No one was injured, but the fire destroyed a milling area and the main receiving leg.
The owner of the property, Jason Owen of Solon, said he closed on the vacant property last Wednesday. Demolition began Monday morning, with contracted workers using torches to dismantle legs for overhead grain bins, he said.
“One guy said the sparks got up under the tin and caught the wood on fire,” Lisbon Fire Chief Joe Long said. “They tried to put it out with the fire extinguisher, but didn’t have any luck.”
Read more here.
