At about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call of a -turkey barn on fire at the address of 39356 -McCormic Lake Road in Sauk Centre Township. The turkey barn was reported to be 64’ by 200’ and fully engulfed at the time of the call.
Upon arrival on scene, deputies observed the barn was fully engulfed. Further -investigation indicated that the fire likely started in the mechanical room on the northwest side of the building.
The property owner, Peter Klaphake, 46 of Sauk Centre, stated that there were approximately 7,000 turkeys in the barn at the time of the fire. The barn appeared to be a total loss.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Sauk Centre Fire Department, Sauk Centre Ambulance, Melrose Fire Department, Freeport Fire Department, Sauk Centre Police Department, Ilgen Excavating, and Centre Towing.