Fire destroys factory in Denison

Fire demolished a factory in western Iowa yesterday (Sunday) morning. The Bohlman Incorporated building in Denison was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Denison Fire Chief Mike McKinnon was among the first to arrive at the concrete product manufacturing facility and says there was a large portion of the building with heavy fire.Fire crews from at least seven surrounding communities were called to help, including those from: Westside, Vail, Manilla, Dunlap, Charter Oak, Deloit and Dow City. McKinnon says so much “mutual aid” was needed because they were using so much water. It took nearly two hours to bring the fire under control and many more hours to extinguish all of the hot spots. McKinnon explains what started the fire. An electrical short in the fuse box is blamed for sparking the blaze. No serious injuries were reported in the firefighting efforts. The building’s a total loss.