Firefighters respond after appliance found burning at residence

Staff report

A smoking refrigerator prompted a response to the Charles City Fire Department early Sunday evening to a residence west of Charles City.

Smoke was seen coming from the top-story windows as firefighters entered the home around 7:20 p.m. A homeowner found the burning appliance after waking from a nap around 7 p.m., daughter Andrea Riedemann said. There was no one else present at the time of the fire.

The Charles City fire department worked with Floyd County Search and Rescue to contain the fire.

Several Charles City fire fighters entered the building wearing oxygen.

After the fire fighters wearing oxygen tanks came out they went to the ambulance to rehabilitate.

“Its something they’ve been trying to do to get your crew to refresh a little faster and hopefully it’ll save somebody’s life,” Curt Teeter, full time fire fighter in Charles said.

There were no injuries, and the is currently under investigation, Teeter said.

There was minimal damage to the house, as side from smoke damage, and some water damage, Teeter said.

“The fire was contained to the kitchen and dining room area,” Teeter said.

“She walked around and said her refrigerator was on fire. She kept hearing popping and just got out of the house,” Riedemann said.

Responders included the Charles City Fire Department, AMR Ambulance and Floyd County Search and Rescue.