Fire in Isle, Minn., prompts evacuations
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Fire officials say it is still unclear what started an early morning fire at a manufacturing plant in Isle on the shores of Lake Mille Lacs.
Trish Scheibel, a dispatcher with the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office, says officials are investigating what caused the fire at Merit Enterprises, Inc., a metal finishing company.
"We got the call on the fire, fire department responded. Found the building fully engulfed. As far as I know, it's not quite out but it is under control," said Scheibel.
Scheibel says officials ordered the evacuation of some homes, because they were concerned toxic chemicals could be released by the fire. Residents have since been allowed to return to their homes.
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It's still unclear exactly how much damage the fire caused.
Isle is about 50 miles northeast of St. Cloud in central Minnesota.
Residents got the OK to return to their homes around 4 p.m.
The extent of the damage to the building was unclear. No injuries were reported.
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