Paullina, Iowa– A large truck shed was destroyed in a fire on Sunday, November 13, 2022, near Paullina.
According to Paullina Fire Chief Ryan Harper, at about 7:35 a.m., the Paullina Fire Department was called to the report of a truck shed on fire at 4797 Pierce Avenue, a mile south and two miles west of Paullina.
The chief says the fire department saw active fire and smoke coming from the partially open overhead doors on the north end of the building as they approached the scene. He says firefighters started an initial attack on the semi-truck that was on fire just inside the overhead door. The Granville Fire Department arrived and attempted to gain entry on the other end of the building but was unsuccessful due to the rapidly growing heavy fire and heavy smoke. At that time, he says they changed from an offensive attack to a defensive attack due to conditions becoming too hazardous for any firefighters being that close to the building. Additional fire engines, water trucks, a ladder truck, and an excavator were requested to assist due to the amount of fire and the size of the building. The building and its contents were a total loss, says Harper.
Harper says no injuries were reported.
The fire department was assisted by the Archer, Calumet, Cleghorn, Primghar, Marcus, Meridan, Sheldon, and Sutherland fire departments; the Paullina Ambulance Squad; the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office; Double F Enterprise; The Prairie Market; Casey’s General Store; and many local citizens.
He says the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Chief Harper reports that early estimates of loss are pushing over a million dollars.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for nearly four hours.
