BACKUS — The main shop building at a timber company near Backus was lost to fire over the weekend.
A passing motorist spotted the large building on fire shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday on Highway 371, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
Firefighters from seven area departments worked through the night to contain the blaze at the Sawyer Timber Co. The shop and its contents were deemed a loss.
According to the company’s website, it’s been in business for more than 50 years.
The fire and its cause remain under investigation with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Assisting at the scene were fire departments from Backus, Hackensack, Pine River, Pequot Lakes, Walker, Longville and Crosslake. Also assisting were Minnesota Power, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and North Memorial Health Ambulance.
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