News: Abbotsford (Area Storms - 1976)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 6/16/2016

Originally published in the Abbotsford Tribune, Wednesday, June 16, 1976

Two major fires were reported early Tuesday morning in the area, with lightning suspected as the cause of both blazes.

Marathon Cheese Corp., Medford was gutted by flames about 2:45 A.M. According to a company spokesman at the Marathon City plant, the production facilities are curtailed putting about 200 people out of work. Temporarily, some employees will be transferred to the Marathon plant.

The company hopes to rebuild its facility in Medford.

The Thorp Fire Department was called to Morgan Plaza, a home for the elderly in Thorp, after lightning was expected of striking that place.

Mattes Livestock Auction Market, Inc., Thorp, burned to the ground after a fire started there about 2 a.m. The fire department responded about 20 minutes after the call to Morgan Plaza.

According to a spokesman for the Thorp Fire Department, there was a severe thunderstorm in the area at the time.

Destroyed in the blaze were the sales barn and auction ring and about 50 head of cattle. Firemen saved the loading chutes at one end of the sales barn.

The Owen Fire Department was called to assist and sent a water wagon and two men. There was a rubbish fire in an outbuilding at a farm in the Owen area also last night.

In both cases, there is no immediate estimate of damage.