On November 2, 2024, at approximately 2:09 p.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a skid steer on fire at 35992 County Road 13 in Melrose Township. The caller advised there was skid steer on fire, and it was fully engulfed. The skid steer was located next to some corn stalk bails.
Stearns County Deputies and the Melrose Fire Department were dispatched to the fire. Upon arrival firefighters began to extinguish the fire near a pile of round corn stalk bails. During their efforts, one of the bails fell off the pile and landed on a firefighter injuring him. Melrose Ambulance was dispatched to the scene to assist with the injured firefighter who was identified as Angel Vargas, 46, of Melrose. Vargas was transported to the Melrose Hospital with unknown injuries. The fire started near the back of the skid steer while it was moving the bails, and the equipment was a total loss. The fire was extinguished without further incident.
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