Welders likely started fire at Johnstown mill

Fire officials believe a fire that torched a Johnstown mill began after welders finished working on machinery adjacent to grain bins.

Capt. Mike Davis of Windsor-Severance Fire Protection District said privately contracted welders finished welding a new auger about 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Johnstown Feed and Seed, 239 East South 1st St.

Davis said a hot piece of slag or a spark from the welders could have smoldered unnoticed for hours among the grain before late-night winds fanned the fire into the blaze that eventually blew the roof off a silo and burned into Tuesday.

Wayne Spreng, the 44-year-old owner of the mill, said he walked through the mill about 9:30 p.m. Sunday and everything looked fine. About 11 p.m., the mill was engulfed in flames.

The fire burned the main production center of the mill where grains from overhead bins were mixed with protein and other ingredients for feed. Davis said the original fire heated sheet-metal siding and ignited the bin's wood frames and grain dust inside. He estimated the damage to the structures and commodities would reach $1 million-$2 million.

After flare-ups Monday evening and early Tuesday morning, Johnstown Fire Department Chief Steve Betz said the fire was under control Tuesday afternoon. Grain in a center bin continued to smoke and smolder, but Betz said the remaining fire would burn itself out. Crews will continue to monitor the fire until it's completely extinguished, he said.

Spreng was still waiting on Monday for a second set of insurance adjusters and inspectors to arrive and examine the facility. He said he didn't have any idea what would happen with the mill until after they had finished.

If the mill were to close, it would affect many in the surrounding community. Along with buying a portion of grain used for feed from area farmers, the mill stored crops for farmers until they could be sold.

Diana Seele, 48, of Johnstown said the mill would be missed if it doesn't re-open. Her three daughters bought feed for their 4-H animals at the mill. Her husband, Kent, grows barley for Coors Brewing Co. and stores crops the beer maker doesn't buy at the mill until they can be sold. If the mill closed, Seele said they would have to find another, more distant facility. That would increase shipping costs, especially with fuel prices near $3.

"It makes a huge difference," she said. "Everybody is very conscientious about what it costs to haul your products."

Aside from the financial aspect, Seele said she would miss the mill that's been a fixture of Johnstown for more than 75 years. Rapid growth in Johnstown has pushed many farmers out of business, and Seele said it was nice to have a few reminders of the town's roots in agriculture.

"Maybe it's a little sentimental, but it's nice to have a farmer-centered business," Seele said.