ATF Investigating $5M Fire at South Dakota Mink-Processing Business

Federal authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a mink-processing business in Arlington.

A team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Saturday started investigating the scene at Top Lot Processors. The ATF says the loss at the 65,000-square-foot facility is estimated at $5 million.

No one was injured when the fire occurred around 2:20 a.m. on March 10.

Special Agent in Charge James Modzelewski says the ATF and state and local officials will work together to determine the cause of the fire.

The ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction over fires and crimes of arson. ATF agents assist state and local authorities on large-scale incidents. The agency last year assisted in the investigation of the fire at the popular Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis.