The Pella Fire Department spent their Super Bowl Sunday battling a massive blaze at the International Ingredient Corporation in Oskaloosa.

Pella Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom tells KNIA/KRLS News they responded to a mutual aid call to help with a fire he described as “the size of a city block.” He says the Pella Fire Department provided an aerial truck and 12 volunteer firefighters–including a shift change. All involved had to battle cold temperatures and hard-to-get-to hydrants, although nothing froze, and all Pella volunteers were uninjured. Van Gorkom is thankful for the teamwork associated with all of the first responders, and says they always try to help neighbors whenever they can.

Firefighters in Pella received a call at 11:19 Sunday morning to assist the Oskaloosa Fire Department and numerous agencies at 2389 Highway 23 in Oskaloosa, and a second page was issued to any available personnel at 3:15 that afternoon. The facility was comprised of three large buildings in an open area with little wind break. The Oskaloosa Fire Department reports the buildings are a total loss, and no cause has been determined.

International Ingredient Corporation provides specialty feed and supplies food manufacturers.

Pella assisted the New Sharon, Cedar Township, Eddyville, Hedrick, What Cheer, Sigourney, and Ottumwa Fire Departments. Oskaloosa Police, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Mahaska County Emergency Management, Mahaska County CERT, the Iowa DOT, and Mahaska Health Partnership Emergency Services Ambulance also assisted.

Photo provided by Ken Allsup