No Injuries in Fire at Agri-Star in Postville, Brush Fire Near Waverly Public Works Wav

After about four hours, the all clear was issued following a brush fire in Waverly Tuesday (05.12) evening.

The initial alert by Bremer County Emergency Management indicated a large brush fire was burning on 5th Avenue Northwest in front of Waverly Public Works. Multiple fire departments responded to fight the fire which started about 4 PM. They also battled the blaze in wind gusts around 40 MPH.

About 8 PM, Bremer County EMA said emergency crews had cleared from the scene. Waverly residents in the area were advised to keep windows closed into Wednesday (05.13) due to some piles of debris smoldering.

An estimated 275,000 gallons of water was used to contain the multiple piles of brush and debris that was burning.

In addition to the Waverly Fire Department, crews from the Janesville and Plainfield fire departments assisted with the fire, with Waverly Police and Bremer County Sheriff’s Office also responding. Waverly Health Ambulance and the City of Waverly Public Works and Water department also helping on scene.

To the northeast, a fire broke out early Wednesday morning at the Agri Star Meat Packing Plant in Postville.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch got a call about the fire shortly before 2:30 AM at the plant in the 200 block of North West Street. Postville Police Department and Postville Fire Department were first to respond to the structure fire, located in the boiler room and beef barn area.

Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, including crews from Postville, Decorah, Luana, Castalia and Clermont. Ambulance services from Postville, MFL and Clermont also responded, along with the Postville Police Department and Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office.