Granville, Iowa — The preliminary cause of this week’s fatal fire near Granville has been released.
The fire on Monday killed three teenagers. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office reported that 16-year-old Kolten Hofmeyer of Alton, 16-year-old Bryleigh Koob, and 17-year-old Ashton Koob died from the injuries they all received in the fire. At last report, a fourth victim, an unidentified 16-year-old, remained in critical condition at a hospital burn unit in Minnesota.
We are told that preliminary findings by the Granville Fire Chief indicate that the fire was accidental in nature and started in the home’s living room area. The specific cause of the fire is still being investigated with the help of the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office.
Several northwest Iowa businesses and communities have rallied around the families of the victims. Donations were planned to be collected at several northwest Iowa football games, where, at some of the games, people were being asked to wear purple in memory and honor of the victims.
Donation accounts have been set up at American State Bank for the families of the victims. Bank officials say donations need to be directed to a specific family account; there is one for each of the four teenagers. Donations can also be mailed to American State Bank directly at PO Box 167 | Granville, IA 51022
Thanks to fellow Community First Broadcasting Station KSOU in Sioux Center for the assistance on this story.
KIWA Staff Photo
