One person dead after two fires, Tuesday

MT. PLEASANT — Two fires that broke out Tuesday evening are under investigation by the Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office and Henry County Sheriff’s office.

According to Henry County Sheriff's Office, officers were first dispatched to a report of a fire at 8:41 p.m. in the 2500 grid of Perkins Road, near Lowell.

No injuries were reported at this residential fire, though the house and garage were fully engulfed as officers arrived.

New London, Mt. Pleasant, Salem, and Danville fire departments responded to the fire, whoever, the house and garage were severely damaged.

Only a few hours later at approximately 11:29 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received notification of reports of another house fire.

According to Eastern Iowa Fireground, Mt. Pleasant, New London, and Mt. Union fire departments responded to the initial call along with Henry County Hospitals and Clinic’s ambulance and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department.

Winfield Fire later responded to a request for water and manpower.

“The home was fully engulfed in fire to a residence,” Henry County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release. “As the fire was being contained it was discovered that one occupant was unaccounted for. After the fire was extinguished a person was found inside the burned residence.”

Authorities are not releasing the identity of this person while the incident is under investigation and family is notified.

Not only did this second fire take a life, but the home is also a total loss.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com