Fire destroys turkey barn in central Minn.

 Fire has destroyed a barn containing thousands of young turkeys in central Minnesota.

The Stearns County sheriff's office says a passer-by reported the fire near Melrose early Wednesday.

Authorities say the barn, containing 17,000 young turkeys, is a total loss.

The owner estimates the potential loss at a half-million dollars.

Firefighters from Melrose and Sauk Centre put out the fire. The cause remains under investigation.