ALBERT LEA – Farmland corporate officials still are waiting for a full damage assessment from the fire that started Sunday, and say it could be a weekslong process of removing debris before they are sure all the smoldering fires are out.

Friday, July 13, 2001

ALBERT LEA – Farmland corporate officials still are waiting for a full damage assessment from the fire that started Sunday, and say it could be a weekslong process of removing debris before they are sure all the smoldering fires are out.

"Basically, I think it’s a real unsafe structure at this point," said Sheryln Manson, corporate communications director for Farmland.

Pockets of fire and heat are still suspected under piles of debris around the burned buildings on the Farmland complex, and crews will continue to work on removing the debris to make sure there is no more chance of fires.

"We don’t want to have people inside a structure that’s not completely safe," she said.

Farmland is holding a closed-door meeting for employees at Albert Lea High School today to update workers on the situation, she said.

Manson said the buildings, still owned by Seaboard Farms, were insured by Farmland as part of its lease agreement, so Farmland and its insurance will remain responsible for the structures.

Employees and company officials still are awaiting estimates on the extent of damage and whether rebuilding is a possibility.

Call Dylan Belden at (507) 379-3433 or e-mail him at dylan.belden@albertleatribune.com.