On November 7th, 2018, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Stearns County Deputies and Sauk Centre Police were notified of a possible exposure of noxious fumes at Fiedler Finishing, 34496 415th Avenue in Getty Township. This is approximately five miles south of Sauk Centre.
According to Sheriff Don Gudmundson, Robert Alverson, 27, of Osakis and Bradley Kettering, 31, of Glenwood, were working inside the pig barn agitating and pumping manure throughout the day. While working in the barn, they located approximately 50 deceased pigs. They opened the curtains on the barn to ventilate the contaminated area. Both Alverson and Kettering became ill due to the exposure and exited the barn. They were both showing signs and symptoms commonly associated with hazardous gas exposure.
Alverson and Kettering were treated at the Sauk Centre Hospital for their exposure. Fiedler Finishing’s owner, Paul Fiedler, 40, of Sauk Centre, said the barn contained approximately 5,000 pigs and it does not appear any other animals were harmed.
The Sauk Centre Fire Department, Sauk Centre Ambulance and the St. Cloud Fire Department Hazardous Material Response Team responded to the scene for evaluation. Upon further testing and investigation, no hazardous gases were found in or around the barn. It is believed hydrogen sulfide gases caused the illness to the two men and the death of the pigs.
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