Sheldon, Iowa — Sheldon firefighters answered a pair of calls within a three-hour period Friday afternoon and evening.
The first call came at 4:28 Friday afternoon, when the department was called out for a chimney fire at 3271 Oak Hill Avenue. According to Assistant Chief Brad Hindt, prior to the Fire Department arriving on scene a resident removed the clean out cap of the chimney and discharged a fire extinguisher into the chimney. Hindt says when firefighters arrived on scene, they found no flames, only light smoke coming from the top of the chimney.
Fire fighters use an extension ladder to reach the top and dismantle the chimney. Hindt says the cause of the fire appears to be a plugged chimney cap.
There was no damage to the inside of the house, with damage confined to the exterior chimney.
Hindt says firefighters were back in service at 5:45 Friday afternoon.
Just about two hours later, at 7:42 Friday evening, Sheldon Fire was called out to the area of 900 West 16th Street, where a passerby noticed a strong burnt smell and haze in the air.
When the Sheldon Fire Department arrived, Assistant Chief Hindt says firefighters found a strong odor and light smoke. He says further investigation revealed a rubbish pile at a nearby farm place that was smoldering. According to Hindt, this was a good intent call from a concerned citizen.
Sheldon Fire was assisted by the Sheldon Police Department and was back in service at 8:15 Friday evening.
