Grand Forks firefighters put out a fire inside a large industrial dryer at a manufacturing site at 2250 Mill Road at about 9:10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, according to a Grand Forks Fire Department release reported by the Grand Forks Herald. One employee was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Fire officials said no firefighters were hurt.
KFGO identified the site as the Red River Potatoes plant on Mill Road.
What Happened
Employees reported an active fire at the plant, and crews were called at about 9:10 p.m., according to fire department information reported by Valley News Live. The fire started in a large dryer used in manufacturing, the Herald reported. Firefighters contained and put out the fire, and the department said damage was limited to the equipment involved.
The fire department determined the cause was accidental, the Herald reported. None of the reports gave a dollar estimate of the damage.
The Response
Five engines, one ladder truck and a command vehicle responded, with 17 fire personnel in all, according to the department's release as reported by the Herald. Altru Ambulance, the Grand Forks Police Department and building representatives helped at the scene, the Herald reported. Valley News Live also reported that the employee was taken to the hospital for evaluation. No update on the employee's condition has been reported.
Not the First Call to This Address
Valley News Live reported in May 2024 that crews responded to an early-morning fire at the Red River Potatoes building at 2250 Mill Road. That fire involved product burning inside a large dehydrator, caused minor equipment damage and hurt no one, according to that report. In December 2025, Valley News Live reported that crews quickly put out a dehydrator fire at the same 2250 Mill Road address.
What Residents Should Know
Fire officials have described this as an equipment fire that was contained inside the plant. None of the reports mentioned evacuations of nearby areas, road closures or ongoing hazards. For official updates, check the City of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Fire Department's channels.
