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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Firefighters battle blaze in extreme cold
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — The Marengo Fire Department fought fire and ice Sunday afternoon after a wood-burning fireplace set a roof ablaze at 348 W. Marion St. in Marengo.
Firefighters were at the scene for three or four hours, said Assistant Fire Chief Travis Schlabach.
The temperature was around four degrees, and everything turned to ice as firefighters sprayed water on the flames, Schlabach said. Ice covered the driveway and steps creating safety hazards that firefighters had to deal with in addition to the fire, he said.
The fire damaged the roof, and the home, owned by Dennis R. and Mary Meleah Mathahs, sustained water damage.
