MADELIA, Minn. -- Local officials will have state help in investigating the early Wednesday morning fire that destroyed much of downtown Madelia.
The Department of Public Safety said Thursday in a press release investigators from its Fire Marshal Division would be helping Madelia fire officials search for the cause and origin of the fire that destroyed at least seven buildings and damaged several others.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosion-like sounds on the north end of the town’s main business district at about 3 a.m., according to radio station KTOE of Mankato. Emergency crews were slow to respond because of blizzard-like conditions. National Weather Service measurements say the city of about 2,300 was blanketed in 10 inches of snow on Tuesday.
Standard protocol calls for inspectors from the safety department’s Office of Pipeline Safety to help with the investigation. Investigations of this scope can take months to complete, according to a DPS press release.
ADVERTISEMENT
Governor Mark Dayton will meet with those affected by the fire at the American Legion in Madelia on Friday morning.
Madelia is about 25 miles southwest of Mankato in southern Minnesota.
