Remains at dawn. Warehouse fire’s cause yet to be determined.
Cause unknown; damage pegged at $300,000
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Two dozen people were evacuated while firefighters battled a fire that leveled a vacant warehouse. Despite heavy smoke, there were no injuries. Flames melted the siding on houses across the street. The evacuees, from 13 homes on the north and south sides of College Street and on the south side of Main Street, were sheltered five blocks away at the United Methodist Church. A police officer on patrol discovered smoke inside the warehouse, at 601 Main Street West, just after 8 p.m. Firefighters from Austin and Glenville responded to assist the Albert Lea department. Flames were controlled within two hours, but crews remained through the night because of hot spots. An initial damage estimate was $300,000. The cause of the fire was not immediately determined. The state fire marshal was called to investigate.