Le Mars, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — The Orange City Fire Department assisted Le Mars firefighters early Tuesday morning at a house fire that caused an estimated $350,000 in damage.
According to the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department, crews were dispatched around 4:10 a.m. to a home at 629 Greenwood Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames coming from the front of the home and through the roof of the single-story structure.
Le Mars crews attacked the fire from both the front and back of the home and used an aerial ladder to pour water through the roof. Officials say heavy smoke and fire had spread through the living room, attic, and other portions of the house.
The homeowner, Scott Bricker of Le Mars, escaped safely after waking up to smoke and heat and calling 911.
Orange City firefighters were called in to provide additional manpower. The department shared photos from the scene in a Facebook post, saying fire wants to destroy and doesn’t care about wealth or age, and urging people to check their smoke detectors and stay safe.
Firefighters remained on scene for more than two and a half hours, and nearby homes were evacuated as crews worked to contain the blaze.
Fire Ruled Accidental
Investigators say the fire started in the front room of the home before spreading through the attic and toward the kitchen. The cause was ruled accidental, likely caused by an electrical equipment malfunction involving a thin extension cord powering two space heaters through a triple adapter.
The home is currently uninhabitable.
The Orange City Fire Department, Le Mars Police Department, MidAmerican Energy, and Le Mars EMS assisted at the scene.
KIWA Staff Photo
