A fire at the Western Iowa Coop fertilizer storage facility in Hornick prompted authorities to evacuate part of the town on Tuesday. Deputy Greg Logan of the Woodbury County Sheriff’s office says the fire was reported around 3 P.M.
Fire crews and the sheriff’s office responded. The fire grew quickly. The building and its contents are a total loss. Logan says authorities were concerned about people having breathing problems from the thick smoke and burning fertilizer and chemicals.
It was a voluntary evacuation as people who were elderly or who had respiratory trouble might have had trouble. Authorities went door-to-door to evacuate residents and the Westwood Community School was opened as a temporary shelter.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
By Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City