Newspaper Articles:  Flood, Fire Hit Durand, Pepin Co., WI, 1967

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Flood, Fire Hit Durand in 1967

Durand residents are watching a new home for its biggest employer grow out 
of the ashes of a major fire last August.

Bauer Built, Inc., with offices at 810 W. Prospect, is constructing a new
20,000 square foot tire retreading plant which is the hub of a business
started here 25 years ago.

Fire which began in the ceiling of the old plant about 10:30 p.m. August 15
spread quickly, filling the place with smoke.  It became one of the worst in
this community's history injuring two firemen and destroying the plant, its
stocks of raw materials and finished products, and machinery.

The new metal structure went up rapidly this spring.  The firm operates 
stores in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Rochester, Minn., as well as here in 
Durand and supplies many other businesses in northwest Wisconsin.  At the 
time of the fire it was employing about 100 men on three shifts.

Record Flood

Besides having the largest fire in years, Durand was also battered in 1967 
by the greatest Chippewa River flood in 82 years.

The flood roared through Durand over the weekend of March 31, April 1, 2, 
and 3, 1967.  The crest early on Sunday, April 2 was 17.5 feet.

The sudden onslaught of the flow caught most people unaware.  There had been
a warning to expect 15.5 feet, a peak reached in September, 1941 when 15 
inches of rain fell in 36 hours around the Hayward country.

Cause of the flood this time was an exceptionally warm spring day with the 
temperatures approaching 80 degrees, along with a stiff wind trailing this
heat, which moved as much as 36 inches of snow overnight in northern 
Wisconsin, was a heavy rain.

In the beginning there was a rush by Durand merchants to move merchandise and 
equipment above anticipated flood levels.  Stores piled merchandise on 
higher shelves int he basements.  Auto dealers cleared their storage lots 
along River Drive.  Schlosser Motor Company had to abandon efforts on about
a dozen cars which were completely covered by water.

When word got to the nearby public, scores of surrounding communities filed 
efforts of assistance with Roger Britton and Robert Blair, Civil Defense
director.  The Chippewa Valley Band Radio Club sent about 10 vehicles and
radios to Durand, they brought their own cooking equipment as well and 
worked from the Office of the Sheriff.

Farmers Help

The Schlosser Garage became a center for volunteer workers.  Despite 
prolonged efforts from National Farmers Organization Milk Holding action,
rural residents offered burlap bags and sand to help out the businessmen,
fighting to keep water from their stores.  Pumping equipment was dispatched 
from Pierce County, Chippewa County, and the city of Menomonie, Mondovi and 
Jackson County, and Menomonie sent three trucks of sand in their own trucks.

Before the crest passed, water was more than a foot deep in the main street 
of Durand between 6th and 7th Ave.

The rural area west of Durand was severly hit, the residents living there
had to abandon their residences, leaving behind many family treasures and
basic household equipment.  Those who were hit were families of Julius
Brantners, Lambert Grochowski, Sr., Lambert Grochowski, Jr., Donald Konselas,
Clarence Muellers, Arnold Andersons, Donald Anderson, Helmer Johnsons, and 
Harold Taylors.

Roger Britton, Sheriff and Lester Sweeney Chief of Police were assisted by
two Dunn County Traffic Officers, six Dunn County Civil Defense police, two
State Patrolmen and two State Conservation Wardens.  Leonard Knutson, agent
for the Milwaukee Railroad said Durand was cut off both sides due to washouts
on tracks.  Between Trevin and Red Cedar, between Dunnville and Downsville
and Carryville and Eau Claire.  While the threat was serious, it was not
drastic.  Representatives of the United States Geologic Survey estimated the
flow of the river at 120,000 cu. foot a second.  One of the greatest on 
record.  The normal flow of the Chippewa River is 15,000 cu. foot per second.

Major Fire

The fire Aug. 15, 1967, burned the largest business place in Durand to the
ground.  Roger Britton, Pepin County Sheriff received a call at 10:31 p.m.
and he put the call for help.  Two men, Ervin Lane, a worker and Daniel 
Fedie, a son-in-law of Bauer working in a truck tire buffing department, 
spotted the flams, tongues of fire already were rapidly scooting across the
ceiling.  Firemen forced their way into the smoke filled building trying to
locate the source without success.  About 11 p.m. there was a sudden gust of
flames from the rear section of the building, adjacent to the Milwaukee 
railroad tracks.  Realizing imminent danger to surrounding buildings and 
homes, Durand firemen lost no time in calling in help from Mondovi, Elmwood
and Menomonie departments and they helped to quell the flames.  The retread
shop was housed in a former brewery which was remodeled about 20 years ago.
Barrels of chemicals, and tanks of oil exploded, fire lighted up the sky
for many miles around.  The fire left many men out of jobs but neighboring
cities offered assistance and many were employed.  Northern States men worked
with the crews cutting off electricity and making it safe for workers.  
Masses and masses of the burning substance burned for weeks.

New Alarms

In August 1967, a new siren system was installed, one siren was place at the 
home of Mrs. James Newell and one at the Box Factory.  They are air operated
with 10 horsepower motors.  Durand previously used a single siren atop an
old windmilltower in Memorial Park and before that time a fire bell in a 
tower of the former firehouse on 2nd Ave. This siren is also to be used for
warnings along with fires.

--Taken from the Eau Claire Leader / The Daily Telegram, Progress Edition, 
1968