fire departments

A lightning strike is believed to have caused a house fire in Rice on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters responded just before 2:00 p.m. at 150 First Street Southwest. Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski says several witnesses reported hearing a loud boom before the fire started.

A shed fire at a Grove City business caused $250,000-$300,000 in damages. Departments responded just after 1:00 p.m. in the 56100 block of U.S. Highway 12 for a fire at D and D Ventures. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says the fire was in a wood shavings storage shed.

Firefighters in full response gear will be roaming the halls of the State Capitol but it's not because of any emergency. Thursday is Fire Service Day at the Capitol. Several unions and professional organizations that represent firefighters, fire chiefs and fire departments will be at the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and testify on several bills of interest to their members.