Lightning strike causes fire at storage facility in Warrens

The thunderstorms that moved through the area overnight did more than drop some rain.  

The Warrens Area Fire District said a lightning strike from the storms hit the Warrens Cold Storage facility and American Berry Company building just after 2 a.m. Friday morning.  

Flames were visible from the roof of the back part of the storage facility as firefighters got to the scene on Aspen Avenue according to photos from the Warrens Area Fire District on its Facebook page.  

Once they knew that no one was left in the building, they began to put out the fire. They were able to keep it contained to the roof and roofing insulation of the 90,000 square foot building.  

Chief Mike Morphey said firefighters were concerned but able to protect an area underneath the roof that stored anhydrous ammonia.  

More than three dozen firefighters fought the fire over the course of the six hours they were there. 

Helping Warrens were members of the Tomah, Oakdale, Fort McCoy, and Black River Falls fire departments.   

In their efforts, they used approximately 250,000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire.  

Chief Morphey said the facility and adjacent building had significant interior smoke and water damage.