Fort Dodge Fire Department Battles Fire At Vacant Home

(Alpha Media – Brooke Bickford)

The Fort Dodge Fire Department was called to a home that was fully engulfed in flames this morning. By 8:00 am the fire had charred its way through the home at 502 North 17th Street and firefighters were tearing into potential hot spots to ensure it was completely extinguished.

Neighbor Heidi

Miller told Alpha Media she had not seen anyone living in the home for between six and eight months and she suspected squatters.

The home is owned by Coleen Holcombe

Further details in regards to cause and injuries are pending.

Just last Wednesday another fire was reported about eight blocks ago that was turned over to the Fort Dodge Police Department as it is being investigated as being intentionally set.

That fire was at 318 South 18th Street and was just another in a rash of vacant home fires in Fort Dodge.

Although the homes are vacant, there is a real danger to the men and women who are on the scene trying to get them extinguished which is extremely labor intensive.

Alpha media spoke with Fort Dodge Fire Chief Steve Hergenreiter last week about one of the steps they have to take in nearly every structure fire.

That overhaul is labor intensive, especially while wearing 75 pounds of personal protective equipment.

Anyone with details in regards to the fire today or last week is urged to call the Fort Dodge Police Department at 515-573-1444

Hergenreiter says a major danger when dealing with a fire is between the time the fire begins and MidAmerican Energy is able to arrive on the scene to shut down power.