Likely Cause Of Bin Fire Tues., Kensal

Kensal (CSi) — Spontaneous ignition, was the likely cause of a grain bin fire on Tuesday at the Kensal Farmers Elevator.

The extremely hot fire was in sunflower screeenings. The fire was called in about 8 a.m. Tuesday and was completely extinguished about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Kensal Fire Chief Dave Kramer says the fire was located inside the cribbing, consisting of two inch thick boards, forming the wall of the grain bin.

Kensal Farmers Elevator, Manager, Miles Armstrong says the damage was minimal, with no structural damage.

Firefighters from Kensal, Pingree, Carrington, the Jamestown Rural Fire department were called to the scene. Jamestown providing additional water.

The water tower serving Kensal has a 50,000-gallon capacity but contained less than 20,000 gallons at the time of the fire.

On scene, the firefighters received assistance from the Buffalo Valley Red Cross Chapter from Jamestown.

Previously…

Kensal (CSi) Firefighters from Kensal, Pingree, Carrington, the Jamestown Rural Fire dpartment were called to a grain bin fire, in Kensal late Tuesday morning. at the Kensal Farmers Elevator.

The Jamestown Rural Fire Department was called about noon for mutual aid to supply water from their tanker trucks, while Carrington responded late morning.

Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser says the fire was spotted by the elevator staff at about 7:30 Tuesday morning.

Kaiser says the fire was smoldering in a wood bin located in the older part of the elevator, which contained an estimated 5,000 bushels of  sunflower screenings.

It consists of weed seeds and other material screened from grain before it is shipped.

On scene, the firefighters received assistance from the Buffalo Valley Red Cross Chapter from Jamestown.

No damage estimate was immediately available.