Outbuilding Fire in Eden Lake Township

On Wednesday morning at 3:02, the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from the homeowner at 16218 County Road 9 in Eden Lake Township who was being woken up to loud popping noises outside their house. They observed flames and black smoke coming from a large outbuilding on their property.

The homeowners are 52-year-old David Nieman and 49-year-old Jodine Nieman. The outbuilding was located approximately 115 feet from their house. When first responders arrived on the scene, the 50×50 foot outbuilding was fully engulfed in flames. Several agencies worked to extinguish the fire; however, the outbuilding and items inside were believed to be a total loss.

There were no reported injuries associated with the fire. The cause of the fire is still currently under investigation. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene by the Eden Valley Fire Department, Watkins Fire Department, Watkins Ambulance, and the Chain of Lakes Fire Department.