Context Free Press

Massive Fire Consumes St. Charles Historic Buildings

By Keith Ortiz
Context Free Press Writer

St. Charles, MN --- Smoke seen early this morning at this community's most extensive building complex expanded into a huge fire today, causing millions of dollars damage and a call by local authorities for greater oversight of fire safety code enforcement.

It was unclear when the first call arrived at the many departments brought in to fight the blaze.

Visitors from Japan touring the complex were evacuated safely in the early minutes of the blaze. Billowing smoke rose high into the air as firefighters protected neighboring buildings by dousing them with water.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Posted by CFPNews at July 23, 2004 10:33 PM