By The Telegram

Two fires at Windriver Grain LLC, 2750 E. U.S. Highway 50, on Sunday caused extensive damage, though no monetary estimate is currently available.

Garden City Fire Chief Allen Shelton said a passing Finney County sheriff's deputy reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the top of Windriver Grain. Shelton said when firefighters arrived at 9:40 a.m., it took them three hours to extinguish a fire in the mill.

Shelton said people were using welders near the conveyor belts earlier in the day, but had left. The sparks from the welder smoldered the plastic and rubber on the conveyor belt and continued to do so after the welders left.

He said firefighters again were called out to Windriver shortly after 2 p.m. because grain in the chute had been smoldering and caught on fire.

Shelton said no damage was caused from the second fire, and it took 1 1/2 hours to extinguish.