Othello business damaged by fire

No injuries in fire at Wolfkill Feed and Fertilizer

OTHELLO — A fire didn’t injure anybody but destroyed a shop at an Othello business Friday afternoon, Jan. 17. The fire at Wolfkill Feed and Fertilizer was reported at about 3:30 p.m.

Manager Todd Roney said the fire apparently had been burning for a while in the shop, which was housed in a separate building. The shop’s doors and windows were closed, which helped contain the fire, he said.

The shop was shared with a neighboring business, but the building had a firewall, which helped contain it to the Wolfkill side of the building. The firewall did its job, Roney said.

Firefighters from Adams County Fire District No. 5 responded and “did an awesome job. They were here within 15 minutes,” he said. Fire crews were on the scene for about seven hours, and the fire chief came back and stayed through the early morning hours.

The shop housed tools, equipment and spare parts. Wolfkill’s business premises were not damaged.

“My business is completely intact,” Roney said, adding that it would be open for normal business on Monday morning.

Under the circumstances, “the outcome couldn’t have been (much) better, to be honest.” Roney said he’s been, “blessed and amazed” at the reaction of colleagues and the community. As of Saturday morning he had received numerous calls wishing him well and offering help if necessary. “Kind of a nice pick-me-up on a bad day.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].