Thursday on my way back to Faribault from the Goodhue County Fair in Zumbrota I made stops to see some people in Wanamingo and Kenyon.

I returned to Faribault to do the evening news and shortly after arriving received a call from Jerry Groskreutz, who was on his way back from the fair when he saw the Held Bus Service garage was on fire in downtown Kenyon.

I had a nice visit with Jon Held in front of that garage and Howard also came over and shook my hand probably about 45 minutes or so before the explosion that led to the fire. Jon told me how things were getting busier as he ramps up for another school year and I could tell he was pretty excited. He said purchases of some new buses were made.

Then I stopped into Tatge Jewelry and visited with Larry Tatge about happenings in his business. I had ordered a special money clip from him and he said it was on back order. We also talked about the upcoming Rose Fest celebration in Kenyon.

Just before the 5:05 report Thursday evening, I phoned Jon Held and offered my condolences on his loss. Jon was most thankful that none of his employees were hurt. He was very appreciative of how quickly the Kenyon volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene and put out the fire.

Jon said one of his employees was working on a van and was apparently inside the van when it exploded and a piece of the van apparently blew a hole in the ceiling, landing in the upper portion of the building and starting it on fire.

The employee walked away.

I went back to Kenyon after my evening news reports and firefighters were breaking down the fire hoses and finishing their duties.

Larry Tatge gave me a tour of his building and there was some smoke damage but, all things considered, it was pretty minimal. Larry said the smoke was thick enough in his store, particularly in the back, that he could hardly see, and you could certainly still smell quite a bit of smoke.

Larry was also thankful to the firefighters for their rapid response and professionalism.

The Held Bus Service building is more than 100 years old, and the Tatge Jewelry building is even older than the Held building.

Kenyon Police Chief Lee Sjolander was also there and told me Howard Held showed him an original plan for construction of the building. The wood floor, which is still in the building, cost $10 to install. So, you see, a lot of history was in the hands of the Kenyon firefighters.

Tatge put it best while we were outside visiting with some of the firefighters; he said someone was looking out for the old buildings.

The state fire marshal was called in even though they know how the fire started. It's standard procedure.

So in addition to putting together bus schedules and getting buses ready for the upcoming school year, Held Bus Service now has to begin the process of fixing some extensive fire damage inside the building.

But Larry Tatge and Jon Held know miracles do happen.

Held Bus Service Garage Fire
Held Bus Service Garage Fire
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