Bemidji, Cass Lake and Solway Fire Departments responded to a fire on the
campus of Oak Hills Bible College on Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which was
reported at 3:26 PM by college staff members, was located in a dining hall on Oak
Hills RD SW. Upon arrival Bemidji Firefighters found a large fire on the first floor
engulfing approximately 50% of the building. Firefighters were able to contain the fire
to the kitchen and storage rooms of the building. Thirty four firefighters used five Fire
Engine, three Water Tenders, and a Ladder Truck on the scene. Approximately
15,000 gallons of water was used on the fire with a nearby pond and dry hydrant
used as water supply sources. No injuries were reported and the fire departments
were on scene approximately three hours. The cause of the fire is under
investigation; however appears to be accidental in nature. The fire departments were
assisted at the scene by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Department, MN DNR
Firefighters, State Fire Marshal's Office, Beltrami Electric and the Bemidji Ambulance
Service.
