Sulfur Explosion Suspected to Set Off Fire at Osage Co-Op Elevator 

A suspected sulfur explosion set off a huge fire at Osage Co-op Saturday (Oct. 17) morning.

The Osage Fire Department (OFD) says they were dispatched to the grain elevator shortly after 7:30 AM. At the scene,  emergency personnel set up for a fire attack, a series of smaller dust explosions triggered rapid fire development throughout the remainder of the facility. 

Incident Command immediately issued a call for mutual aid from surrounding fire departments to assist in suppression operations, including Saint Ansgar, Floyd, Colwell, and Charles City. Firefighters successfully brought the blaze under control and remained on scene until approximately 5:15 PM Saturday.  No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. 

The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.

OFD also notes that the Osage Police Department and Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office also assisted on scene with traffic control and monitored smoke trajectory to ensure public safety.

Other assisting agencies included Mitchell County EMS, Mitchell County Emergency Management, Osage Municipal Utilities, the City of Osage, and Mayers Digging.

OFD also cautions the structure may smolder/burn for several days. If the smoke becomes an irritant please keep your windows closed.