A commercial trucking business in Ely, Iowa was the site of a devastating fire on Wednesday night. Multiple firefighting agencies rushed to the scene at approximately 8:15 p.m. to try to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, the winds favored the fire, causing it to spread quickly and engulf the entire building within an hour. Despite the best efforts of the responders, extensive damage was done to both the structure and its contents, including several vehicles inside.
As the flames continued to burn, an excavator was eventually brought in to knock down parts of the building. The firefighters continued to use hose-lines to access areas that were still burning. Miraculously, no injuries were reported during the incident. The building has been declared a total loss, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire. It is unclear at this time what may have sparked the blaze.
Fires like this serve as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures. It is crucial for all businesses and individuals to have a fire safety plan in place to minimize the risk of a devastating incident like this. This includes regular checks of smoke detectors, having a designated meeting place outside of the building in case of evacuation, and practicing escape plans with employees or family members.
The community of Ely will undoubtedly come together to support the owners and employees of the trucking business as they begin the process of rebuilding and recovering from this devastating event.
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