(Photo courtesy Sioux County Emergency Management)
Rock Valley, Iowa — Firefighters from over a dozen area departments battled a multi-structure fire at a dairy operation northwest of Rock Valley on Saturday afternoon.
The Rock Valley Fire Department was dispatched to the scene around 4:20 p.m. on October 10. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire and smoke issuing from a commodity shed used to store dairy cattle feed products.
Strong winds rapidly worsened conditions, pushing the flames to a mobile home located directly behind the commodity shed. While crews were actively battling the mobile home fire, a third structure—a welding shed—also caught fire.
Due to the rapid fire spread and the heavy water volume required, mutual aid was requested from surrounding communities. Tankers and crews from eleven additional fire departments responded to assist, including Boyden, Hawarden, Hull, Ireton, Orange City, Sioux Center, Hudson, Doon, Inwood, Canton, and Fairview.
Responders were also assisted on-scene by the Rock Valley and Inwood Ambulance Services, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, and Sioux County Emergency Management.
Crews worked to contain the multi-building blazes and protect surrounding property. At the time of the release, firefighters remained on site extinguishing remaining hot spots and monitoring the structures.
