A warehouse along US HWY 51 in Wapella burned down on Monday afternoon. 

Wapella Fire Department Deputy Chief Nelson Thorpe told the Hart Media Group that units responded to a call at 11:12 AM on Monday morning to a warehouse fire along Highway 51. He indicates that they were on scene for about four and a half hours.

Mutual aid came from Clinton and Kenney Fire Departments early on, with Waynesville and Heyworth units responding as well. The Deputy Chief says help from other local departments is crucial when it comes to rural fires. 

Thorpe states that they were lucky when it came to the conditions they were facing. Wind was blowing smoke away from the City, and there were no issues with frozen water lines. The smoke did cause law enforcement to shut down Highway 51 for a time. 

No injuries were reported during the incident, despite heavy smoke and live electricity. 

Firefighters were unable to save the building. There were no harmful chemicals or fertilizers that could impact the environment burned in the event.