A Christmas night fire forced occupants to flee the burning home south of Webster City and drew firefighters from three departments.
Webster City Fire responded to the blaze at 1752 258th Street, rural Webster City, at 9:01 p.m. Monday, according to Chuck Stansfield, Webster City’s fire chief.
The home is owned by Easton and Justis Burgin, according to online county property records. The assessed value of the home, built in 2017, is $185,750.
An off-duty firefighter, who was the first to arrive on scene, initially reported seeing smoke and flames, but minutes later witnessed the fire “flash” and heavier flames coming from the house.
With Webster City’s Engine 33 enroute, both Stratford and Duncombe Fire were paged in a request for mutual aid. That was at 9:12 p.m.
Stansfield said the fire attack was initiated with a handline and a search team assigned to make certain everyone was out of the house.
“Side doors were forced for search and ventilation,” Stansfield said. “At this point the occupants were located outside the home, but a primary search was still conducted and cleared.”
He said the fire started in the kitchen, “cause will be undetermined due to lack of evidence.”
No one was injured.
Duncombe Fire Chief Todd Bingham said eight firefighters responded with three trucks — one pumper and two tankers — from Duncombe.
Stratford Fire Chief Dan Ostrem said 12 or 14 firefighters responded with one tanker truck to provide mutual aid. They were on scene for roughly an hour and a half, he said.
View this article as it originally appeared in the Daily Freeman-Journal.
Last modified: December 27, 2023