News: Owen – Dairy Plant Gutted by Fire (Aug 1973)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gehrke, Knauff

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 23 Aug 1973

The north end of the former Owen Dairy Plant that housed cooling storage and shipping facilities was leveled by fire early Monday morning. The fire company was summoned at 12:55 a.m. and found the roof of the 45x60 foot brick and tile structure in flames.

Twice thereafter fire broke out of the doorways and walls , with the company dousing it with water Tuesday evening, and tehn responding to a call again at 6:53 a.m. Wednesday.

Fire Chief Ronald Gehrke said the building and equipment had recently been purchased by Tolibia Cheese Co. of Fond du Lac, and a representative of the firm, Jim Knauff, said workmenhad been in the building removing equipment, and had been using cutting torches along the west wall. Chief Gehrke said the fire undoubtedly started from sparks left unknowingly by the welders, as there was no power going into the building.

Damage loss was note available, other than to estimate equipment loss still in that section of the plant, at between five and six thousand dollars, plus loss of the building itself, which is in complete ruins.