Otter Tail County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) Fire crews responded to a shop fire south of New York Mills on Thursday night. The fire was reported shortly after 10 p.m. on the 53,000 block of 370th Street in Newton Township, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say the fire started from a spark earlier in the day. A person had been using an angle grinder to cut tin siding. A spark from the tool ignited material inside the shop. The fire continued to smolder until it was discovered later that evening.
When fire crews arrived, they found smoke and hot spots inside the structure. Damage was described as minor. The fire caused smoke damage, damage to insulation, and damage to some of the siding. Officials also reported structural loss to a small section of the shop. The building itself remained standing.
No injuries were reported. Everyone at the property was accounted for. Firefighters worked quickly to control the scene and stop the spread of the fire. The sheriff’s office said the quick response from local departments helped limit further damage.
Agencies responding included fire departments from New York Mills and Perham, along with deputies from the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. Crews remained on scene to ventilate the structure and ensure no additional hot spots remained.
Angle grinder sparks are a common cause of rural shop fires. Safety officials recommend keeping combustible materials several feet away from cutting areas and monitoring the space for several hours afterward. More fire safety tips are available from the Minnesota State Fire Marshal at dps.mn.gov.
Authorities say no foul play is suspected. The case is considered closed.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
