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   Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 12:52 a.m. a motorist reported a large structure fire south of Backus on State 371 in Pine River Township. Deputies and responders arrived and found a large structure on fire located at Sawyer Timber Company. Mutual aid and assistance from several nearby fire departments were requested and firefighters worked throughout the night to contain the fire to the main shop structure at the business. The shop and its contents are a total loss. The fire and its cause remain under investigation with the assistance of the State Fire Marshall’s Office.

   Assisting at the scene were the Backus Fire Department, Hackensack Fire Department, Pine River Fire Department, Pequot Fire Department, Walker Fire Department, Longville Fire Department, Cross Lake Fire Department, Minnesota Power Company, Minnesota Department of Transportation and North Memorial Ambulance.

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