SHELLY, Minn. — A massive grain elevator fire started early Friday, Aug. 8, forcing the Norman County Sheriff’s Office to temporarily evacuate nearby residents.

The neighbors were able to return at about 1 p.m. after firefighters were able to gain control of a second building near the elevator that had caught on fire that contained chemicals and air quality testing was done.

Firefighters from 20 area departments responded to the fire, and the American Red Cross was on scene to help anyone affected by smoke. Residents were also without power for most of the morning and were under a boil water advisory as of early Friday evening.

"I heard a couple of loud, real loud bangs, and I wasn't sure what was going on. Later, I looked out the window and there were big flames. I knew what it was," s

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