Oakes (KFGO) – A late February fire in Oakes that destroyed the offices of the longtime weekly newspaper and a storage shed was caused by poor upkeep of the building’s main electrical box.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Bruce Hoeger determined the fire started inside or near the box, sparking the blaze during the early morning hours of February 25, which resulted in the total loss of the building. Burnt material was found inside the box, suggesting it was not properly maintained.

The paper, “The Oakes Times” recently resumed operations in another building in town.