Big Fire in Small Minnesota Town

MADELIA, Minn. (AP) — The mayor of a small southern Minnesota city says a major fire that has destroyed or damaged at least a-half dozen commercial buildings on Main Street appears to be under control.

Madelia Mayor Mike Grote tells The Associated Press the fire that burned six to eight buildings apparently started with an explosion in one of the businesses about 3 a.m. Grote says he knows of no injuries.

He says the brick and wood buildings are on the north side of Main Street and include a furniture store, Culligan Water and a restaurant. The Watonwan County city of about 2,300 is located along the Watonwan River and is about 25 miles southwest of Mankato.

The area is dealing with the aftermath of  the winter storm storm that closed highways in southern Minnesota Tuesday. Madelia received 10 inches of snow from the storm.