Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Fire destroys home in Rockford Township


This home at 3692 Darrow Ave. SE is a total loss following a fire Wednesday evening.

This home at 3692 Darrow Ave. SE is a total loss following a fire Wednesday evening.

ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP, MN – Carl Stegeman returned to his home at 3692 Darrow Ave. SE just before 6 p.m. Wednesday and found smoke pouring out of it. He opened the door just long enough to let his dog out, and then called 911.

The house was a total loss, Delano Fire Chief Bob Van Lith said.

When Van Lith arrived, flames were visible on the north side of the house.

Watertown Fire Department automatically responded to the fire, per an agreement with the DFD, and Van Lith also paged Montrose Fire Department. A total of about 35 firefighters responded.

A large response was needed due to a number of factors.

With no fire hydrants in the township, firefighters drove to the West Metro Business Park in Delano to access water.

Cold weather and snow were also factors.

“To drag the hoses through the snow when it’s up to your belly, it’s a lot of work,” Van Lith said.

He said he is not 100 percent sure of the cause of the fire.

In addition to the fire departments, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Allina Ambulance, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association, and American Red Cross responded.

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