On Feb. 18, 2018, at approximately 5:12 a.m., West Fargo Fire and West Fargo Police responded to a possible fire located at the Magellan Facility at the intersection of Main Avenue and Ninth Street E. in West Fargo. Fire response from the West Fargo Fire Department, Fargo Fire Department, BNSF, Hector Airport, and the National Guard all provided personnel or resources to bring the situation to a close.  At approximately 12:40 p.m., enough foam was on scene for fire crews to extinguish the large tank that was on fire.  The scene has been transitioned to a hazmat scene, and primary clean-up will begin.  This investigation to the cause of the fire will begin immediately once the scene is determined to be safe for investigative personnel.

Fire crews utilized over 35 personnel, approximately 400,000 gallons of water, and approximately 500 gallons of foam to put out the fire.  Main Avenue has been opened to traffic, and all traffic routes in the City of West Fargo have returned to normal. Emergency responders ask that all onlookers remain away from the scene while the clean-up process begins.

Residents that may have been in the path of the large smoke plume were asked to shelter in place as a precautionary measure.  This notification was due to the large amount of smoke that was generated from the source of the fire.  West Fargo Public Schools and West Fargo Park District cancelled today’s activities north of the interstate as a precautionary measure. 

Residents may observe debris such as soot on vehicles, homes or in the snow.  This should be avoided by pets and small children, any debris will be diluted with additional precipitation.  The shelter in place recommendation has been lifted to those in the area of the fire.