Written by
The Associated Press
Photo courtesy the St. Cloud Times
FREEPORT, Minn. - The state fire marshal's office began its investigation Wednesday into a blaze that destroyed the century old Swany White flour mill, which Freeport Mayor Matt Worms described as a vibrant business and a landmark in this small central Minnesota town.
"The flour mill was a historical icon to the city of Freeport," he said. "It was here for 100 years. It was a very pivotal business to the town."
The St. Cloud Times said the fire started about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and that the three-story building collapsed about two hours later while many of the town's 600 residents watched, some crying.
Fire crews from at least five central Minnesota fire departments worked into the night to control the huge blaze, which could be seen for at least five miles. By the time it was out, little of the old mill remained.
"It's gone forever," Worms said. "It's just a pile of smoking ashes."
Swany White was central Minnesota's only flour mill, specializing in organic flours that were sold in grocery stores and food co-ops around the state. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"It was a cool place. It was a flashback," said John Decker, head of the research department at Stearns History Museum.
Owner Gary Thelen and one employee worked in the mill, which was built in 1897. It had been in Thelen's family since 1903 when his grandfather, Peter, and Peter's brother Hubert bought it.
Thelen, 55, who took over the business from his father in 1998, said he was inside when the fire apparently started. He smelled smoke and went to investigate.
"I saw smoke on the main floor. By that time, it was so engulfed, there wasn't much you could do," Thelen told the newspaper Tuesday. He said that no one was hurt in the fire.
Local residents who watched the fire Tuesday night said losing the mill would be hard on the small town.
John Hennen, who has lived in Freeport for 47 years, saw the flames shooting out of the building. "It's a big loss for Freeport," he said.
Al Beste, owner of FAMO feeds, said his son left the feed office about 4:40 p.m. to help fight the fire. He stared at the flames from the street. "I feel so sorry for the century old business," he said.
Curt Olmscheid, owner of a nearby quilt shop, said a piece of the city's history went up in smoke.
"It's a shame to lose a century old business," Olmscheid said. "It's the one thing you'd never think."
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