Fire claims storage, research building north of campus

SARA BERTSCH Editor-in-Chief

A structural fire occurred in one of the facilities at the Wildlife and Fisheries Research Unit over Winter Break. 

The unit is located on Medary Avenue, north of the Highway 14 bypass. The fire occurred on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 2 around 7 p.m. when a passerby observed the fire and notified dispatch.

The building was a total loss.

It was used primarily for storage according to a press release sent to faculty from the Office of Safety and Security. 

The fire is believed to be caused by a bathroom exhaust fan. No employees or animals were in the building at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. 

The Brookings Fire Department responded to the call received around 7 p.m. They requested assistance from the Volga Fire Department to help extinguish the fire.