Thunderstorms passed through the area in the late evening of May 4. It is thought that lightning from the storms struck the elevator and started the fire, however an investigation will give factual conclusions.
“Likely the fire burned inside before flames were evident on the outside,” said Minne.
She added that she was up at 3:00am and there were no flames at that time. Fortunately when the annex collapsed at approximately 7:51am it fell inward and to the north. To the south is located the Co-op Agri store, which has an inventory of oil.
Fire destroyed the former Manitoba Pool elevator in the same location in 1961. According to former employee Darcy VanCauwenberghe, the new elevator was built in 1961 followed by a renovation in 1982 including a new annex, driveway, office and second leg. The capacity was approximately 130,000 bushels.
The elevator was being leased from the Municipality of Brenda-Waskada by local farmer Brad McKinney to store grain and there was grain in it at time of fire. He also lost two truck trailers that were parked on the south side of the elevator.
As he looked on at the remains McKinney was not sure of the actual amount of grain currently stored.
“It is a sad day for us, but I think of the whole community, the elevator put us on the map,” he said.
Maurice Saltel, Reeve Municipality of Brenda-Waskada, echoed those sentiments.
“It’s one less elevator in the prairies. It was a symbol for people, when they return from being away, when they see the elevator it means they are close to home.”
The one positive take-away from this tragedy was the area’s response said Saltel.
“The quick response from the Pierson, Melita, Deloraine and Waskada fire departments and all the other people involved in assisting with equipment was very impressive.”
“It speaks well of the high degree of coordination. People should know that we continually train for exactly this kind of scenario. We hope it never happens but it did today and it all went very well.”
He added that the cost of equipment does not come cheap, but it is essential to have it and to maintain it to be ready for any emergency that may happen.
“Most of the people working to fight and contain the fire are volunteers and they are all critical to the safety of the area,” said Saltel.
by JUDY WELLS
Recorder staff