ABOVE: Several members of the Fairmont Fire Department practice putting out a structure fire on N. Orient Street in Fairmont on Wednesday evening during a training.

FAIRMONT– For the first time in about 20 years, members of the Fairmont Fire Department did a house burn training within the city of Fairmont on Wednesday night. The house, located on N. Orient Street, was donated to the department for a training by Jamie Johnson.

The local department tries to take part in about three house burns a year, according to fire chief, Bryan Kastning. However, the number they take part in is dependent upon having a structure donated to the department.

On Wednesday about a dozen Fairmont Firefighters participated in the burn, including one new to the department who just completed their 1001 training course last weekend. They all voluntarily took part in the burn to receive additional training.

Long-time department member, Roger Carlson, who is an instructor with Safety and Security Consultation Specialists (SASCS), lights a fire in the house with straw a cardboard, department members then take turns going in and “knocking back” the fire. They were able to get three burns out of the house on N. Orient Street which means multiple members were able to train.

Occasionally, Fairmont will partner with other local fire departments for burnings. About two years ago one was held in rural East Chain which included members from Dunnell and Truman. Kastning noted that the Trimont and Odin Fire Departments recently took part in a house burn and that Truman holds house burns fairly regularly.

“We get about four actual structure fires a year. This way they can go in and train on an actual fire,” Kastning said.

For the training, firefighters are decked out in gear which includes an SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) and a barrier hood. They also use a tool to remove glass from windows and a special fan for ventilating the building. Otherwise, an ambulance and fire truck are nearby for the training just as they would be for a structure fire.

The structure was burnt down to the ground by the time the department finished the training on Wednesday. Kastning said that S & J Excavating would be cleaning up the remains in the next few weeks after everything has an opportunity to cool down. In the meantime, temporary fencing will be put around the area.

Permits were secured for the burn from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Solution Control Agency (MPCA).

Because the site of the burn was in city limits, all of the neighbors were notified twice about the intent of the department to burn the house down for a training. Kastning said that rather than issue complaints, the neighbors were glad to see the house go as it had been abandoned for over a year.

Kastning said he believed that Johnson would like to use the newly vacant space to add on to his business, Car Parts Direct, which sits beside the site.