Independence maintenance shop burns; DNR called in to handle pesticides

Fire destroyed a maintenance shop near an Independence business early Wednesday, officials said.

Firefighters responded around 2:30 a.m. to the fire at Innovative Ag Services, 600 11th St. NE, and found the maintenance shop on the property fully engulfed in flames. They used water and foam to put out the blaze, authorities said.

Capt. Roger Kremer, of the Independence Fire Department, said no injuries were reported.

The shop and machinery that was inside, including a fertilizer truck, is considered a total loss, Kremer said. Pesticides and oil was also stored in the shop, officials said.

Environmental specialists with the Department of Natural Resources were called to the scene to determine if the runoff posed an environmental threat. DNR spokesman Kevin Baskins said a dike was constructed to prevent the chemicals from reaching the Wapsipinicon River.

“At this point, we don't have any reason to believe any of it has reached the river,” Baskins said.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire.

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