Orange City, Iowa — An Orange City home sustained extensive damage in a fire on Saturday night, March 21.
Orange City Fire Chief Denny Vander Wel says about 10:35 PM, the Orange City Fire Department, Alton Fire Department and Orange City Ambulance crew responded to a report of a structure fire that occurred at 303 Kentucky Avenue Northwest in Orange City.
When emergency responders arrived, he says they found a ranch style house on fire with flames showing on the back of the home burning up to the attic area.
The fire was extinguished and considered under control about 11:40 PM. The home sustained extensive heat and smoke damage. Orange City Fire units remained until about 1:45 AM.
No injuries were reported.
The property sustained an estimated $100,000 in damages.
Vander Wel says that following an investigation by the Orange City Fire Department into the origin and cause of the fire, it has been determined that cause was likely accidental.
He says the investigation revealed that the most probable cause of the fire was likely a result of spontaneous combustion due to unattended linseed oil rags left in a bucket near the rear of the residence. The fire then spread from the rags, igniting the back of the home, up toward the roof area.
The Orange City Fire Department, Alton Fire Department and Orange City Ambulance crew were assisted by the Orange City Utilities Department, Orange City Police Department and the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
