MANILLA, Iowa --
No injuries were reported in a fire on Manilla's Main Street, which destroyed two buildings and heavily damaged the town's fire station Wednesday night.
Investigators said the fire, which started in a vacant building, was reported around 10:30 p.m. They said the flames spread to a storage unit adjacent to the vacant building.
Chief Bill Simonsen said the fire station suffered extensive damage from the blaze, just months after a $50,000 renovation. Crews were able to save the new fire truck, but equipment, uniforms and hoses were destroyed.
Insurance agents believe the building is a total loss.
The town has been through a rough week. Hours before the fire, nearly 800 people filled Main Street after funeral services for Staff Sgt. James Justice.
“With our serviceman we had services for yesterday, and this last week, we had a firefighter that was killed in an accident, too -- it’s been a rough week here, but everyone’s pulling together,” resident Leonard Kaufmann said.
“It’s hard. It’s been a really rough week for Manilla and our community,” resident Sheila Simonsen said.
The blaze reignited at least twice on Thursday morning, firefighters said.
Nine area fire departments responded to the fire. State fire marshal investigators are looking into the cause.
Copyright 2011 by KETV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
