Rock Valley, Iowa — A farm house was destroyed in fire, leaving the occupant homeless on Thursday, September 28, 2023, near Rock Valley.
According to Rock Valley Fire Chief Brent Eshuis, at about 6:00 p.m., the Rock Valley Fire Department was called to the report of a house on fire at 2932 Dogwood Avenue, three miles west and two north of Rock Valley.
The chief says the fire department saw the house mostly engulfed in flame as they approached the scene. He says they used an outside defensive attack to fight the fire as it was not safe to enter. He says the roof was collapsing within five minutes of the firefighters’ arrival, and the fire had been burning for a while before it got noticed.
Eshuis says no injuries were reported.
The fire department was assisted by the Hull, Inwood, and Doon, Iowa fire departments and the Hudson, SD Fire Department.
He says the cause of the fire is undetermined.
Chief Eshuis reports that the house was totaled in the blaze.
The chief tells us the house was occupied by one individual who was on the place, but had been in his shop. When he noticed the fire he tried to get in, but the flames were already at the door.
The chief says they contacted the American Red Cross for assistance. He tells us Justice For All of Rock Valley is also helping the victim, as he only had the clothes he had been wearing.
Eshuis says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for about four hours.
