Rock Rapids, Iowa — Some outbuildings and their contents were destroyed in a fire on Monday, November 27, 2023, near Rock Rapids.
According to Rock Rapids Fire Chief Ed Reck, at about 9:30 p.m., the Rock Rapids Fire Department was called to the report of a tool shed on fire near a gas barrel at 1672 Fig Avenue, four and a half miles west and a mile and a half south of Rock Rapids.
The chief says the fire department saw the buildings fully involved in flame as they approached the scene. Reck tells us the tool shed was adjacent to a barn-type building where ducks were kept, with the gas barrel between the two buildings. He says they used water to fight the fire, and were able to get it out before the gas barrel could explode.
Reck says no injuries were reported.
He tells us the Lester Fire Department was paged for automatic mutual aid, and says that when Rock Rapids firefighters were en route, he saw a large orange glow ahead, so he radioed dispatch for the Alvord Fire Department to be sent as well with a tanker of water.
He says the fire is believed to have originated with a heat lamp that had been left on for ducks in the barn.
Chief Reck reports that the buildings and contents including a lawnmower were destroyed in the blaze.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for about four hours.
