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Officials: Fire At Coca-Cola Facility Started Near Ice Maker

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — Public safety officials say a fire at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in Mitchell has been ruled accidental and is not suspicious.

Mitchell’s Department of Public Safety says the blaze that started about 2 a.m. Tuesday originated near an ice maker. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters had the blaze contained about 5:30 a.m., though crews remained on scene to fight hot spots.

Cy Chesterman is president of Iowa-based Chesterman Company, which owns the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Central South Dakota. Chesterman tells The Daily Republic the facility in Mitchell employs about 30 people and is trying to service its customers. Employees worked in temporary offices Tuesday.

The facility’s roof partially collapsed and a thunderstorm moved through the area during the day.

The value of the damage wasn’t immediately clear.