Hot spent fireworks get the blame for fires, one on Sunday near Sioux Center, the other in Marcus on Friday.
According to Sioux Center Fire Chief David Van Holland, at about 1:30 a.m., the Sioux Center Fire Department was called to the report of a garage fire at 3247 430th Street, two miles south and a half a mile east of Sioux Center. Upon arrival, firefighters observed a side-by-side ATV engulfed in flames within the garage and successfully put out the fire.
He says someone apparently disposed of spent fireworks in a receptacle that was then put inside the garage, and that’s what started the fire.
Damage was estimated at $50,000 to $60,000 dollars, including smoke damage to two vehicles and the house, a damaged garage door, and other related issues. Van Holland says no injuries were reported.
Firefighters who responded were on the scene for about two hours. Sioux Center Fire was assisted by the Ireton Fire Department.
Similarly, Northwest Iowa home and garage are a total loss, after the improper disposal of fireworks after on the Fourth of July.
Marcus Fire and Rescue firefighters were called to 113 South Locust St., on Friday, July 4, at 11:30 p.m. According to Marcus firefighters, the fire began when fireworks were improperly disposed of in a trash can. The flames then spread to other fireworks that the family had been unable to discharge before the fire began. Marcus Fire Chief Clay Leavitt says when firefighters arrived on the scene, the garage was fully engulfed, and flames began to creep inside the home.
The family was outside at the time of the fire, and no one was injured, according to firefighters. The garage and home were determined to be a total loss by firefighters. Firefighters remained on scene until 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. Marcus Fire and Rescue was assisted by the Cleghorn Fire Department, Meridian Fire Department and the Remsen Fire Department.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
