Alton, Iowa — The interior of a downtown apartment that used to be a downtown business in Alton has been destroyed by fire, and a pet was also lost in the fire. Firefighters from a number of communities had to endure subzero weather to fight the fire.
The Alton Fire Department tells us that the call came in a few minutes before 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20th. The report was of a structure fire at 207 10th Street, in Alton, next to the Yard Bar.
The Alton Fire Department responded and upon their arrival reported heavy smoke coming from the building with flames visible through the front windows; mutual assistance from other area fire departments was initialized.
Upon arrival by the Alton Fire Department, it was reported by law enforcement that two people were in the building and exited via the back entrance; both individuals were medically assessed and cleared by EMTs with Alton Ambulance.
The Fire Department says their personnel made entry via the front door and applied water to the fire located at the front entrance of the building. The fire in the front portion of the building was quickly knocked down and firefighters advanced further into the building to check for additional fire. Fire was found in an open loft area in the rear of the building where a second team of firefighters relieved the first crew to work on the fire located in the loft. A third team of firefighters was sent into the structure to work on fully extinguishing the main-level fire.
A few minutes after 6:45 p.m., the fire was under control.
Firefighters tell us the interior of the structure was completely lost. They say that temperatures near 20 degrees below zero at the time made firefighting efforts extremely challenging and taxing for firefighters and responding emergency personnel.
No injuries were reported to occupants of the building or emergency personnel. A family pet died due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the building of origin and no damage was reported to the adjacent buildings.
The Alton Fire Department was assisted by Alton Ambulance, Orange City Fire Department, Orange City Ambulance, Sioux Center Fire Department, Orange City/Alton Police Department, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Alton.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time, according to fire officials.
The Alton Fire Department wants to send out a special ‘thank you’ to the local businesses, citizens, and spouses of the fire department that supplied heaters, hand warmers, hot coffee, cocoa and food for emergency personnel.
