Fire destroys Donaldson elevator

By Anna Jauhola
At 3:43 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, Kittson County Dispatch received a call from a Donaldson resident that smoke was rising from the elevator along Highway 75. The page went out to area fire departments that the Donaldson elevator was on fire.
“The firemen from Kennedy said, when they were getting ready to leave, they could see flames from their homes. There were flames coming from the top of the elevator,” said Sheriff Matt Vig.
Hallock, Karlstad and Kennedy fire departments were initially paged, with Lancaster, Lake Bronson, Drayton, Stephen and Greenbush also responding, along with Kittson Healthcare Ambulance.
The building was vacant and a total loss, Vig said. Firefighters saved the adjacent building and prevented damage to one house. A northwest wind pushed embers and debris.
“Every structure fire is always investigated,” Vig said. “The fire marshal has been notified and it’s under investigation with an undetermined cause.”

(Photo courtesy of Tabitha Thompson)