EDINBURG, N.D. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the cause of an early morning fire that destroyed several storage buildings owned by a potato company in northeastern North Dakota. No one was hurt.

J.G. Hall and Sons partner Roger Hall says the company lost four buildings at its Edinburg complex, but none of them held any potatoes or farming equipment. He says the company’s main facility is in Hoople.

J.G. Hall and Sons is one of the largest potato producers in the Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Five fire departments responded to the blaze about 4 a.m. Friday. They were hampered by strong winds. Hall says there isn’t anything to indicate the fire is suspicious.

 

Also …

ARTHUR, N.D. (AP) — An iconic venue for dances and concerts in rural Cass County has been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters from Gardner, Arthur, Hunter and Grandin responded to the blaze Thursday afternoon at what is now known as Arthur’s Barn. For decades it was known as Johnson’s Barn.

The sheriff’s office says the cause of the fire wasn’t immediately determined.

The barn hosted hundreds of events through the years. Area resident Dawn Moore says the loss of the barn where she and her husband had their first date is sad. She calls it “part of the town, part of the history.”

Cass County Sgt. Tim Briggeman calls the fire “tragic.” A GoFundMe page has to been set up to help the owners rebuild.