FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — Fergus Falls city officials were forced to evacuate City Hall on Friday, Sept. 19, after the bell that has hovered in the tower above the building for nearly 100 years became unstable.

As officials walked into City Hall to start their normal day, they were met with an interruption that rang alarm bells. A routine check turned into an emergency.

"While one of our city members was up at the bell, the bell actually shifted and dropped some from its original position," said Fergus Falls Fire Chief Ryan Muchow.

The fire department evacuated the building shortly before 10 a.m. Muchow said the bell, which towers over the city, weighs several tons and was in danger of completely falling through the structure. The bell rang several times a day until daylight saving time thi

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