HOOPLE (AP) - The grain elevator in the northeastern North Dakota town of Hoople is dealing with fire damage as the corn harvest is about to begin.

A corn dryer at the Hoople Farmers Grain Elevator was destroyed by fire Wednesday night. Firefighters saved the rest of the facility.

Elevator worker Keith Jordahl says wet corn created a hot spot that ignited inside the dryer. Manager Guy Phelps says the timing couldn't be worse.