PHOTO: A fire caused by a lightning strike destroyed a portion of the Fontana grain elevator on the morning of Thursday, May 2.
The first 911 call was made at 9:01 a.m., and firefighters from Miami County Fire District No. 1 in Fontana, Osawatomie, Louisburg and Paola were dispatched to the grain elevator, located on the south side of Dorman Ave. and Stephen St. near railroad tracks in Fontana, according to a news release from Miami County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Whelan.
Each unit responded with an engine and tender, and Louisburg also responded with a ladder truck.
Whelan said the structure was fully involved when the first units arrived on scene at 9:32 a.m., and the building collapsed shortly after arrival.
No injuries were reported in the fire, but the damage estimate is $500,000, Whelan said.