Updated at: 03/17/2010 1:51 PM | KSAX.com
By: Anthony Kiekow

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Seven Agencies Respond to Explosions, Fire at Barrett Bus Garage 

BARRETT, Minn- Just after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday seven different fire departments responded to a fire that caused several explosions at the Barrett bus garage.

The garage housed four buses and the gas tanks of the buses caused several explosions. 

"Several gas tanks of the buses just blew. It was really loud and you could hear it about a quarter of a mile away," said Barrett resident Warren Dehlen.

But according to the Barrett Fire Chief Dave Lien, Jr. when the building "fell apart" it was even louder.

"First the roof came down then the walls and the building is brick so when it fell it made a lot of noise," said Lien Jr.  

Witnesses reported seeing flames as high as 50-feet. 

"I just saw this huge ball of fire burst out of the building," said Barrett resident Aaron Ray.

Firefighters were not able to completely put out the fire until 12:00 p.m. Wednesday.

"The building and everything inside was a total loss," said Lien Jr.

The destroyed buses were used to transport many Barrett residents around Grant County and according to witnesses will have a "huge impact on the community." A tractor was also lost in the fire.

For more information on how the fire has impacted the community of Barrett follow this link:

http://ksax.com/article/stories/S1287716.shtml?cat=10230

Written for the Web by Anthony Kiekow

akiekow@ksax.com