Spirit Lake, Iowa – Four fire departments battled sub-zero conditions, as well as a fire in multiple homes on the northeast side of West Lake Okoboji late Saturday afternoon.
According to the Spirit Lake Fire Department, around 4:30 Saturday afternoon, firefighters were called to the report of a structure fire. Updated information confirmed multiple houses on fire with one fully involved.
Upon arrival crews found the initial structure fully involved with a free flowing natural gas fire and an additional house starting on fire. Additional departments were called for mutual aid from Arnolds Park/Okoboji, Milford, and Lake Park. Temperatures down to -18F, high winds, no fire hydrants in the area, houses in close proximity, very narrow roads, snow and ice made firefighting challenging.
The houses were unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.
Lakes Regional Hospital Ambulance, law enforcement, Dickinson County Emergency Manager, gas, and power companies assisted.
One house was destroyed and another sustained some damage.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
