The Crookston Fire Department responded to a fire in downtown Crookston on Friday afternoon. According to the (CFD), the alarm call came in at 11:50 A.M. and the fight against the flames lasted close to two hours. The fire started and was limited to inside the Union building and the apartments above the former Quist trading post.
Chris Klawitter was one of the first responders and leaders in charge and explained a little bit of what the experience and procedure was like. “We got called to a fire downtown on W Robert St in an apartment upstairs” said Klawitter. He continued to say the top priority was making sure everyone inside the building was retrieved and safe. “We proceeded to search the building make sure everyone was out, then begin the process of putting the fire out and ventilation of the area.”
Klawitter was the only fighter on duty at the station when the call came in, but says he knew that his team would be right behind him. “I was actually the only one in the station which does happen from time to time with our staff” said Klawitter. “We do have quite a few part-time and on call guys who are ready at the drop of a hat, so I went with the first engine, and I knew that they would meet me there on scene.
Once the fire was neutralized, it simply became a matter of gathering the facts and speaking with the building owner about the next steps. “We then spoke with the state fire Marshall about what happened and discussed with the owner of the building what the next steps will be at this time for the tenants” said Klawitter. There is no timetable as to when the apartments will be ready and replaced but for now, the building will need to find other options for its’ tenants.
It wasn’t just the firefighters who took the fire in on Friday afternoon. Several citizens watched as the smoke came crawling out of the building into the blue sky. One eyewitness who wanted to remain anonymous said he was just stopping by for lunch nearby when he saw the flames.
“I just came by to grab lunch, saw some firetrucks, wasn’t sure what was going on, and then I saw the smoke. I just hope everyone is okay.”
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before anyone was injured. below you can see some pictures and a video that were taken during the fire.
