A fire Thursday morning at Herschel Parts led to the evacuation of employees and triggered a coordinated response from multiple area public safety agencies, which worked together to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of the facility and surrounding area.

At approximately 8:43 a.m., Warren County Dispatch received a report of a fire inside the facility located at 1301 North 14th Street in Indianola. Employees evacuated the building as personnel from the Indianola and Norwalk fire departments arrived on scene.

The fire was fully contained and extinguished by approximately 9:16 a.m. All employees were safely evacuated and accounted for, with no injuries reported.
To support emergency crews, the Indianola Police Department temporarily closed North 14th Street during the response.

Initial findings indicate that the fire originated in an oil vat used in the heat-treating and cooling process for parts. The building continues to release smoke as officials remain on site, monitoring and conducting overhaul operations to confirm the fire is fully extinguished.

The Indianola Fire Department commends the swift actions of the Norwalk Fire Department and the Indianola Police Department for their rapid response and support.

*the information in the story was a City of Indianola press release