Man suffers burns as blaze destroys southern Manitoba grain elevator

A fire has destroyed a grain elevator in southern Manitoba and left a man in a Winnipeg hospital for treatment of burns.

The blaze in the Paterson Grain-owned building happened Monday evening in the small community of Crystal City, about 190 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

The man, who is in his 30s, was airlifted to hospital and is listed in stable condition.

People who live near the elevator say they initially heard what sounded like an explosion before the structure was engulfed in flame.

Colleen Henderson, who is part of an emergency response team in the area, says a nearby business was also lost.

Henderson says the fire could have been worse because the elevator is in the middle of the community and more buildings may have been lost if there had been any wind. (CTV Winnipeg)