Monday fire destroys pallet maker

A fire was reported early Monday morning in Pella at Skunk River Block and Pallet Inc. The building was engulfed in flames when rescue personnel arrived at the scene of the fire.

Skunk River Block and Pallet Inc., located at 311 Southeast 14th St., and included a 30,000-square foot facility that was completely lost. The fire burned more than 600,000 feet of stacked wood in the building, according to reports. Pella firefighters spent hours Monday trying to control the flames. Workers of the business even pitched in to battle the blaze by using forklifts to remove pallets and equipment from the burning building.

No one was hurt in the fire, which started around 4:30 a.m., Monday morning.

According to Skunk River Block and Pallet Inc. officials, the building had been at the Southeast 14th St. location since 1987. Damages from the fire are estimated to exceed $1 million.

The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.