Governor Dayton Visits Madelia Friday

MADELIA, Minn. (AP) — Governor Mark Dayton will visit the southern Minnesota city of Madelia after a fire destroyed several businesses in the community's downtown.

Karla Angus with the Madelia Area Chamber of Commerce tells the Star Tribune that Dayton will tour the most-damaged areas Friday and meet with some business owners who lost everything.

Angus says Wednesday's fire destroyed six buildings and a seventh may have to be torn down. The cost of damages is still being determined.

The state fire marshal's office is helping investigate the fire's cause and origin. The state's Office of Pipeline Safety was in town Thursday, along with private investigators representing several agencies and businesses.

The investigation could take months to complete.

A furniture store, a dentist's office, a restaurant and hair salon are among the businesses lost.