Fire Engulfs Hinckley Casino Warehouse
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Fire engulfed half of a pole barn near a Hinckley casino Sunday evening, firefighters said.
The fire started around 7:30 p.m. in a 100-foot by 300-foot warehouse located on the property of Hinckley's Grand Casino, according to Hinckley firefighter Lance Hagman.
The casino proper, which is still operating business-as-usual, is not in danger of catching fire, but it does own the warehouse, according to casino spokesperson Sara Barten.
By 8 p.m., fire engulfed 50 percent of the warehouse, which Barten said is used as a maintenance and storage facility.
According to firefighters, the building housed swans, which the fire killed. The building also contained combustible materials, like gasoline. Pine County Sheriff Robin Cole said the building didn't stand a chance.
"The fire really went through the building quick," he said. "There wasn't really a chance to save the building. The first units on scene did what they could, but with wind conditions the way they are, once it vented a little bit, it just blew right through."
Firefighters said the building is a total loss. Nothing yet has been said on what started it.
Crews from Hinckley, Sandstone and Pine City responded to the scene.
