Residents OK as state begins fire investigation

Emergency crews declare home a ‘total loss’ from smoke, water damage

By Kate Hayden

khayden@charlescitypress.com

The two residents of a home that went up in flames on Monday night have been located and appear uninjured, the Charles City Fire Department said Tuesday afternoon.

Ron and Sally Clay contacted the fire department at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to advise the department they were safe, Fire Chief Eric Whipple said. The couple was at another residence at the time they contacted the fire department.

Emergency workers remained on the scene overnight and into Tuesday afternoon, following an emergency call by neighbors who spotted smoke rising out of the rooftop. The 1208 F Street house was considered a total loss, according to a department press release, with significant fire and water damage. Heavy smoke was visible to emergency services upon arrival, but firefighters attacked the blaze from outside the house after being blocked from entering by “substantial” debris, according to the press release.

“It was an accumulation of stuff inside the residence that made it difficult for us to enter the residence,” Whipple said.

The Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the fire cause, with assistance from the Charles City Fire Department. Department officials continued to stay on-scene Tuesday afternoon with the investigation.

Charles City has fought three more fires during an active winter season for the fire department, with one fatality as the result of a Nov. 10 fire. Steven Roy Sadler, 61, died at Floyd County Medical Center after being found by firefighters who extinguished the early morning fire in his ground level apartment. On Nov. 16, an electrical malfunction on an outdoor outlet sparked a fire at 106 Park Lane Drive . There was moderate damage to the side of the home, but no injuries were reported.

On Jan. 11, 20 apartment residents were displaced from 2104 Clarkview Drive as fire departments from Floyd County, Rudd, Colwell and Charles City battled a strong blaze among snowfall. Ten of the 12 units were occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported.