Fire destroys Ainsworth ag supply building

AINSWORTH — A Vision Ag dry chemical storage facility went up in flames around noon Wednesday, in a fire that took responders between two and three hours to put out according to Ainsworth Fire Chief Waylon Schultz. He said the structure and everything in it were a total loss.

“The building was pretty much fully involved when we got there,” Schultz said. “And it had spread to the contents that were inside.”

The fire chief said wind blew most smoke away from nearby residences, adding that the burned materials were not hazardous pollutants. He said the building stored potassium and phosphorous (P and K) fertilizer, which is only harmful if consumed.

“It took quite a bit of water to put some of that out, but we eventually got it,” Schultz said. “Vision Ag works closely with fire departments as far as keeping us up-to-date on the chemicals they store and the fertilizers they store. We knew ahead of time what we were getting into, but you still take extra precautions.”

Ainsworth, Washington, Riverside, Crawfordsville and Columbus Junction fire departments were joined at the scene by Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Ambulance, Conservation, and Emergency Management, as well as the state Department of Natural Resources.

Schultz said Four Corners Truck Stop donated lunch to the emergency responders, and that DeLong Construction also brought in a backhoe to remove debris that shielded some of the flames from fire hoses.

While an official cause has not been declared, Schultz said there was mechanical work happening at the building before the fire began, which could have caused it. He said the case would not be sent to the state Fire Marshal, but would be investigated by insurance providers.

A Vision Ag representative was not immediately available for comments.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com