United States (North Dakota) - Nobody was injured in a fire that destroyed a gas station and convenience store on Tuesday night in Oakes, N.D. A police officer saw flames coming out of the back of Highway 1 Fuel and Service in the southeastern North Dakota town and called the fire department about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, a representative of the Dickey County Sheriff's Office said.

Oakes Fire Chief Randy Burley said the station was open and people were inside when the fire was detected in another part of the building; however, nobody was hurt. Firefighters spent all night battling the flames and the high winds.

"It was kind of an impossible fire," Burley said.

The cause of the fire was still undetermined Wednesday; however, someone from the state fire marshal's office was expected to arrive to investigate the blaze.

Burley said the building is a total loss, but the gas tanks were not harmed. The fire was contained to the station and never threatened any other structures, he said.

Highway 1, which was closed late Tuesday night, was reopened around 6 a.m. Wednesday. Burley said the roadway was closed to allow room for equipment, particularly a hose running from a fire hydrant across the street.

Other fire departments assisting at the scene included Gwinner, Ellendale, LaMoure and Rutland-Cayuga. A local cement company also helped haul water.

Written by American News