A large fire has completely destroyed an agricultural products retail store in Rosetown.

Fire crews were called just before ten o’clock on Saturday evening.

“It looked like it was going to be a small local fire in one portion of the building,” said Mike Moon, general manager of the Central Plains Co-op. “I believe the wind conditions were a big factor. The fire mobilized and gained strength.”

The blaze destroyed the office and retail space, as well as the crop protection warehouse. Fortunately, the wind was blowing away from populated areas in the community, 115 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon.

Investigators believe the fire started in a radiant heater or the wiring leading to it.

The twelve employees have been busy redeploying resources. Office space has been secured in another part of town with a plan to establish a temporary on-site location soon.

“What we’re thinking right now is a temporary office space,” Moon said. “Something you would see on a construction or drilling rig work site. More or less a temporary home for our work team out there.”

Moon adds the Agro Centre’s grain handling and fertilizer storage facilities were not impacted by the fire.