Flour Mill Fire Probe Begins in Central Minnesota Town

Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office are trying to determine what sparked the fire that consumed the century old Swany White flour mill in the small central Minnesota town of Freeport.

City Clerk Victoria Holthaus says Wednesday morning that the fire is out at the mill, which started burning about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and collapsed about 6:30 p.m. while many town residents watched.

The St. Cloud Times reports it was central Minnesota’s only flour mill and specialized in organic flours. Two people worked there.

Freeport Mayor Matt Worms says Wednesday that the site is now a pile of smoking ashes. He says the small town of about 550 has lost both a vibrant business and a local icon.