The fire destroyed a bus garage and seven buses in Pipestone was caused by an electrical problem, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Pipestone County Sheriff Dan Delaney said the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. He said a preliminary investigation determined the cause was from an electrical issue, but the investigation is still pending.
Jerry Priester, Priester Bus Inc., said the fire could have been started by a plug-in he uses overnight to keep the engine block warm in the cold.
At 1:21 pm Monday, a person passing by called emergency crews about a fire at 509 8th Avenue Northeast.
Delaney said Highway 75 into the town, which is also 8th Avenue, was blocked off so fire crews could run hoses across the street. Delaney said the fire engulfed the entire building in a short period of time. Delaney said the entire building and all its contents—including 7 buses—are a total loss.
Delaney said fire crews were at the scene for approximately four hours. He said the fire was contained to the garage and no other nearby businesses sustained any damage.
No one was injured in the fire.
