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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington house fire rekindles next day
WASHINGTON — Around three dozen firefighters reported to the northeast corner of North Avenue D and Fifth Street in Washington Thursday night, responding to a house fire that was reported just before 6 p.m., according to EMS personnel on the scene.
A news release said there were no injuries from the fire, and that “all parties had safely evacuated the residence, prior to the residence becoming fully engulfed.”
By roughly 6:30 p.m., fire crews had punched holes in the roof with axes to get a hose inside.
“We had to cut some holes in there to gain access to an attic or a crawl space to get the fire put out up there, especially this back half of the house,” said Washington Fire Chief Brendan DeLong. “It was really tough. We couldn’t get to it from the inside, so we had to get to it from the top.”
With fire crews from Ainsworth and Kalona coming to Washington’s aid, the news release said traffic in the area was blocked for around three hours before emergency personnel cleared the scene.
Around 4 a.m. Friday, the Washington County Communications Center received another report for a fire at the same location, according to a separate news release Friday afternoon.
“The fire had rekindled, and Washington Fire responded and extinguished the fire using exterior tactics,” the news release said. “The house was demolished due to safety reasons, and to be able to get the fire extinguished safely.”
That news release said both fires were accidental.
“The occupants had a space heater plugged in and operating, which is what is determined to start the fire,” it said. “The wind the night of Nov. 11 was significant and spread the fire to the rest of the house. The house is a total loss.”
DeLong said injuries had been avoided thanks to a helpful neighbor, who acted fast.
“The neighbor called this in,” DeLong said. “The people that live here, the neighbor came over and got them out. He really saved them, so (we’re) thankful.”
The cause of the fire is currently undetermined, although Washington fire officials said they would investigate and expect an answer on Friday.
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
Firefighters hose down the house's northwest corner, where most of the exterior fire damage on Thursday night was sustained. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Fire crews run a hose through one of two holes they had punched in the roof to gain access to the flames from the outside (Kalen McCain/The Union)
With the situation mostly under control, firefighters equipped oxygen tanks and prepared to enter the house to snuff out the remaining flames. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
