A fire caused by a lightning strike destroyed part of the Fontana grain elevator yesterday morning, May 2nd. According to a news release from Miami County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Whelan, the call came in just after nine, and firefighters from Miami County Fire District Number 1 in Fontana, Osawatomie, Louisburg and Paola were dispatched to the grain elevator. Each unit responded with an engine and tender, and Louisburg also responded with a ladder truck.
Whelan says the structure was fully engulfed when the first units arrived on scene at 9:32 and the building collapsed shortly after arrival. No injuries were reported in the fire, but the damage estimate is $500,000. Whelan confirmed that the cause of the fire was a lightning strike.
