STAPLES — A grass fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, in section 10 of Thomastown Township near Staples, the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Upon arrival, the Staples Fire Department found garbage, rubbish and debris around the yard and outbuildings on fire. A deputy spoke with the property owner who claimed he was cutting grass with a weed whipper when he set it down and went into the house. The property owner stated a short time later he looked outside and observed the fire. No weed whipper was located where the property owner stated the fire would have originated, the sheriff’s office stated.
The property owner was cited for negligence or careless act causing a fire.
The Minnesota DNR Forestry and Staples Fire Department extinguished the fire, which burned 5 acres of grass and other personal property.
