The blaze, which appeared to start on the north side of the building, gutted the production area of the factory. It produced massive flames that left tools and other equipment charred. Ultimately, the roof collapsed.

Smoke could be seen from miles away on Iowa Highway 175. Firefighters from at least eight different departments worked to control the flames.

A large caliber stream of water was sprayed into the building from an elevating platform truck called a Snorkel. The Snorkel is shared by the Manson and Rockwell City fire departments

Shane Voith, Calhoun County emergency management coordinator, said when he arrived the building was burning from the north end to the south end.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Tools and equipment are blackened as the smoke smolders during a fire that enveloped the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders factory, 200 N. Illinois St. in Lake City Tuesday evening.

One witness who lives nearby said the fire appeared to start in the dust collection room.

Christy Theulen lives just a couple of blocks east of the factory.

She had just come outside for a minute with her family at about 4:45 p.m. when she was surprised to see smoke coming from the building.

“I am not sure how long it had been going,” she said. “We saw smoke above the trees. We saw a fire truck go around the corner and soon after that they all started showing up.”

“It was a really neat place,” she added.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Volunteer firefighters man the Snorkel truck Tuesday evening above the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders factory in Lake City. Firefighters from mutltiple departments converged on Lake City to battle the blaze, which caused significant damage to the factory.

Michael Mendenhall, of Lake City, was riding his bicycle to the store when he saw the smoke.

“I’ve been here since the start of it,” he said. “I’ve had it up on Facebook Live.”

Mendenhall said at least one person was injured.

“I know of at least one person who was injured for sure,” he said. “He had burns on his arm. He was an employee.”

Dobson Pipe Organ Builders confirmed on its Facebook page that an employee was injured when he discovered and attempted to put the fire out.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Volunteer firefighters direct a stream of water to a window where flames are visible Tuesday night at the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders factory in Lake CIty.

According to that page, the employee is expected to be OK. No other injuries have been reported.

Vicki Holm, a lifelong resident of Lake City, watched in disbelief as firefighters worked the scene.

“It was beautiful,” Holm said. “This is one of the oldest buildings in Lake City. So sad.”

Holm said the organs produced at the plant have been shipped all over the country and even to other parts of the world.

“They have those organs all over the world,” she said. “At the Vatican. Everywhere. I pray they can rebuild.”

Lynn Dobson was the company’s founder, president and artistic director.

The total value of the building is $350,460, according to the Calhoun County assessor’s page.

Smoke was still pouring out of the building Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Volunteer firefighters from Lake City, Rockwell City, Manson, Lytton, Lanesboro, Lohrville, Auburn and Sac City responded. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, Lake City police, Calhoun County emergency management and MidAmerican Energy Co., were also on scene.