Fire destroys L&S Construction mechanical shop near Sanborn

Fire destroyed L&S Construction’s mechanical shop near Sanborn on Thursday, December 31.

Crews were working in the shop owned by Herb Scheffler, and at the adjacent Straight Line company property owned by Mike Scheffler, Herb Scheffler and Terry Roiger, when fire broke out in the L&S mechanical shop about 9:30 a.m. 

The Sanborn Fire Department was called and they responded with a working crew, pumper and tanker trucks.  Springfield, Lamberton and Wanda Fire Departments were called in for mutual aid and they came with working crews, pumpers and tankers.   Wabasso, Clements, Jeffers and Comfrey Fire Departments and Buffalo Ridge Concrete of Lamberton responded with tankers that hauled water to the scene throughout the morning and until mid afternoon. 

The L&S Construction mechanical shop and multiple buildings were lost in the fire along with some heavy equipment, inventory such as parts, tools and small equipment.  

Wind blowing from the southwest fueled the flames, said Sanborn Assistant Fire Chief Shane Neperman, and a major effort was put forth to save the Straight Line property.  “We were fortunate there were no injuries and we were ab le to preserve the majority of Straight Line property,” said Neperman.

Emergency and law enforcement officers assisted.  The State Patrol and Redwood County Sheriff’s Department directed traffic along Highway 14 and Knox Avenue, where L&S Construction and Straight Line are located.  Minnesota Department of  Transportation and Redwood County Highway Department salted and sanded the roads and ground in the fire fighting area. Redwood Electric Cooperative cut the power to the buildings. 

Fire fighters were on the scene until about 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The cause of the fire was not identified, and estimate of damages is not known.

Firemen called to grease fire

Springfield Fire Department was called to 109 Hoyt Avenue South at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, January 2.  A grease fire had broken out on the stove, but the homeowner and Springfield Police had the fire out by the time the fire department arrived.  No one was injured in the fire.