Rock Rapids , Iowa — A machine shed and shop and all its contents, including at least two vehicles, was destroyed in a fire on Thursday, October 29, 2015 near Rock Rapids.
According to Rock Rapids Fire Chief Ed Reck, about 11:40 AM, the Rock Rapids Fire Department was called to the report of structure fire at the home of George Klocko, two miles south of Rock Rapids .
The chief says the fire department saw lots of smoke coming out of a metal machine shed and workshop. The chief says the building was fully engulfed in fire as they approached the scene. He says they used an exterior attack, with two pumpers and two water dump sites to knock it down. He says the building was a total loss, as was the shop equipment, vehicles in the building, and a forklift.
Reck says that there were no injuries reported.
The Alvord fire department provided water and helped transport water from a hydrant on the south side of Rock Rapids. Reck says Sunshine Foods generously provided buns and meat for lunch since the fire happened over the noon hour. He says firefighters’ wives brought out the lunch and Sherri’s Kitchen provided cookies. The Lyon County Ambulance crew stood by as a precaution.
He says the cause of the fire appeared to related to the shop heater, but they don’t know for sure. No dollar figure has been attached to the damage at this time.
He says they used 8,000 to 10,000 gallons of water to fight the fire, and crews were on scene for two and a half to three hours.
