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Battery starts fire in toolbox at OPS

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Area fire departments were called to Outdoor Power Specialists Tuesday morning, as the building was found full of smoke just before 8 a.m. (Photo by Correne Martin)

A fire call was dispatched just before 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Outdoor Power Specialists, on South Marquette Road in Prairie du Chien. 

According to Prairie du Chien Fire Chief Tad Beutin, a lithium ion battery started the fire in a toolbox. The spark had smoldered in the shop area for a number of hours before putting itself out. But the building, including retail space, was filled with smoke when staff came to open the business. 

Beutin said an estimated $250,000 in damage, mostly from soot, occurred throughout, and the OPS facility is expected to be closed for at least a few days. 

There were no injuries.

Beutin said the firemen used PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fans to get the smoke out of the building, and they made sure the carbon monoxide levels were proper before deeming it safe to enter. 

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