Orange City, Iowa — A car was destroyed and a corn crib was damaged in two fires on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in and near Orange City.
According to Orange City Fire Chief Denny Vander Wel, about 2:35 AM, the Orange City Fire Department was called to the report of vehicle on fire behind 419 Colorado Avenue Southwest. That’s a little over a block south and a block west of the Sioux County Courthouse.
He says the cause of the fire is unknown but is believed to be electrical in nature. He says the owner of the vehicle had reported the battery cables becoming very warm before the fire.
Chief Vander Wel reports that the vehicle was a complete loss.
Later that day, Vander Wel says about 11:05 AM, the Orange City Fire Department was called to the report of corn crib on fire at 3689 460th Street, south of Orange City on K64 and then a little west.
The chief says the fire department saw the roof of the building on fire as they approached the scene. He says they used water to fight the fire.
He says someone had been burning cardboard boxes before the fire and some of the burning boxes floated up to the roof and started it on fire.
Chief Vander Wel reports that there was moderate damage to the roof, plus the fire burned through the roof and started some of the building contents on fire as well.
He says fire crews were on scene for an hour.
