A house and garage were destroyed, leaving the occupants homeless after a late-night fire on Sunday, January 25th, near Hawarden, just across the South Dakota border.
According to Hawarden Fire Chief Payne Allen, at about 11:30 p.m., the Hawarden Fire Department was called to the report of a garage on fire at 30117 484th Street, about a mile west and two miles north of Hawarden.
When firefighters arrived, Allen says the garage was already destroyed, and the house was heavily involved in flames. Crews initially attempted an interior attack, but the floor became unstable, forcing firefighters to evacuate and switch to a defensive, exterior firefighting operation.
No injuries were reported to people, pets, or livestock.
The Ireton, Alcester, and Hudson fire departments assisted the Hawarden Fire Department.
Chief Allen says both the house and the garage are considered total losses. Firefighters remained on the scene for about 10 hours.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Allen says the occupants are currently staying with family.
This story is courtesy of fellow Community First Broadcasting station KIWA Radio
