Fire damages Blooming Prairie business
Cedar Crest Construction Company owner Allen Nolt and son Jasper, 2, inspect damage to Nolt’s construction company building, which sustained heavy fire damage Friday. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
Authorities are still investigating the cause of a March 29 fire that caused major damage to the Cedar Crest Construction Company located east of the Dairy Queen in Blooming Prairie.
The Dairy Queen also sustained major smoke damage and will be closed until further notice. Motorists reported seeing the fire as far south as Austin.
The State Fire Marshal was on the scene in an effort to determine the cause of the fire.
Allen Nolt owns Cedar Crest Construction. He said the fire may have started around 7 p.m. on Friday. The BP Fire Department drenched building with water 15 minutes after being called.
The Ellendale and Hayfield Fire Departments arrived at the scene soon after.
A one-ton truck and two work trailers, fully tooled, were destroyed in the fire, according to Nolt. He said a CAT skid loader and a GLG lift also sustained major damage.
Jay Klemmensen, who was in his insurance office next door to the Dairy Queen, felt and heard an explosion. He reportedly called 911.
Cedar Crest Construction specializes in farm and pole buildings. Nolt currently has a work crew of five and said he hopes to rebuild and continue the business.