OTLEY, Iowa — One resident has expressed concerns about management and safety following a co-op fire in Otley that burned a fertilizer building.

On Monday, a fire broke out at a fertilizer building at the Two Rivers co-op in Otley. The fire smoldered for hours, possibly releasing several dangerous toxins into the air. A voluntary evacuation order was issued on Tuesday, with several families choosing to stay in hotels.

“Most of my neighbors, all thought this was safe. Having knowledge of farm chemicals, I knew that was untrue,” said Patty Van Haaften. “My son, who even though he’s an adult, is asthmatic. I’m like, we are not staying here. We’re going to get a hotel.”

Wednesday, Two Rivers crews were able to put out the smoke and then covered the fertilizer building in lime hoping to preserve what was left. Shortly after, Marion County Emergency Management set up air quality tests to determine if it was safe for residents to return to the area.

Van Haaften says handling the fire and figuring out what to do has been made more difficult due to lack of communication by Marion County Emergency Management.

“Twenty-four hours later before we were told, oh, maybe we should evacuate. So, that was Tuesday. No conversation, no information. What’s happening? When is it safe? Today, more than 24-hours before your next notice from emergency management.”

Marion Emergency Management sent a crew to Van Haaften’s home Wednesday for a sulfur oxide air quality search. Van Haaften says even with the results of the air quality test, she has concerns about returning home.

“I don’t know if my house is safe. This also does not tell me if my animals are safe, if my dog can be out. This isn’t just somebody spreading too much, you know, fertilizer somewhere. This is a long-term effect. This was in the wind. This is smoke. This is not one thing.”

Marion County Emergency Services expects to release the results of the tests Thursday morning. Anyone with concerns about air quality or home safety should contact Marion County Emergency Management at (641) 828-2256, extension 2.