Rockford fire displaces family of seven

Overheated computer sparks interior damage

By Amie Johansen

amie@charlescitypress.com

An overheated laptop is thought to have caused a Sunday house fire in Rockford, family members and first responders said this week. The fire broke out around 6 a.m at 510 First Avenue in Rockford.

According to family member Liz Elin, the fire was caused by a plugged in computer. Rockford Fire Chief Cory Murray confirmed this belief, noting the overheated laptop started a fire in a lower bedroom.

The bedroom was an addition to the home, which helped to prevent the fire from spreading into the main house, Murray said. Although most of the damage was to the addition, the entire structure has smoke damage.

When firefighters arrived, smoke was coming out all of the home’s vents. Firefighters cut ventilation holes in the addition’s roof while fighting the fire, Murray said.

“Owners of the home, Tim and Trina VonHagen, were gone in Minnesota camping,” Elin said.

However, the VonHagen’s son Elijah and daughter Ashton were home when the fire started, along with Elijah’s girlfriend, Katie Wolters-awe, and their two small children.

A smoke alarm alerted the family, allowing them to evacuate immediately. The call came in at 6:30 a.m. Responding fire departments included Rockford Fire, Charles City Fire, Rudd Fire and Nora Springs.

There were no injuries, however the family of seven has been displaced from their home.