Fire Thursday afternoon caused extensive damage to a grain elevator in the Marshall County town of Gilman.

At around 2:40 p.m.,  the Gilman Fire Department was notified of a fire in progress involving a large ag type structure located at 102 Main Street.

Due to the size of the potential structure, wind conditions, and a lack of available manpower, mutual aid was immediately requested from fire departments in nearby Grinnell, LeGrand, and Montour.

When fire crews arrived on the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from a pile of beans.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within a shot period of time.

Fire crews then made their way into the woodhouse elevator to check for possible extension of he fire with a thermal imaging camera with no extension being found.

A preliminary investigation revealed that fire started from a group of workers who were cutting up a metal grain bin on site, using a torch.

No injuries were reported.

Area fire crews remained on the scene for approximately an hour.