LAKE CITY, Iowa — Dobson Pipe Organ Builders reopened Tuesday after the building was ripped apart by a massive fire three years ago.
The original building once stood tall in the middle of Lake City, but on June 15, 2021, a fire destroyed the business in a matter of hours.
Firefighters worked almost a full day to put out the flames, which were caused by a malfunctioning fan that led sawdust to catch fire.
Since then, the owners have been working to rebuild the factory. President and Owner John Panning said he's grateful for the support the business has seen throughout the process.
"Obviously, moving to the new building is an amazing thing itself," Panning said. "... I mean, we've literally been tried by fire, and here we are, kind of back better than ever on the square in Lake City where we've been all along."
Dobson Pipe Organ Builders was founded in 1974 and has since grown into a world-renowned business.
The building's reopening comes just as the business is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, the factory will host a recital with Bradley Welch on Oct. 18. He'll be playing on an organ made by the factory in 1980.