Bud Johansen, who is himself a volunteer with the Neola Volunteer Fire Department, said he and his wife support a number of community and private fundraising efforts at both their Oakland and Neola facilities.The Oakland Buck Snort had been the collection point for a community effort to collect backpacks for students attending Oakland-area schools who might need them. Fortunately, the backpacks that had been donated by area residents were picked up last weekend and were not in the building when the fire broke out.

The fire at the Buck Snort, 310 Dr. Van Zee Road, was reported just before 3 a.m. Monday, according to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies and members of four local fire departments arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke coming from the building. Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Reynolds said crews battled the fire, it worsened, and firefighters were forced to retreat and take a defensive position.

Oakland volunteer firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Carson, Macedonia and Hancock. The fire was declared under control by around 5-a.m., but volunteers from the Oakland Fire Department remained on the scene of the fire throughout the afternoon to address hot spots.

Authorities believe the blaze started in the southwest portion of the building, which housed the kitchen, a storage area and the office. The building sustained extensive damage and was declared a total loss. Authorities said also nothing indicated the fire was suspicious in nature, but an investigation into the incident was ongoing.