Le Mars Responds to House Fire Call

Photo by Brian Nitzschke

On Sunday, August 9, at 10:42 p.m. the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to a house fire at 308 6th St. S.W. in Le Mars. The house is owned and occupied by Terry Sundt of Le Mars. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke coming from the back of the house of the two-story house. Firefighters made entry and found a small fire in the basement that extended into the main floor wall. A second hose line was pulled to the front door and extinguished the main floor fire. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters then had to ventilate the home with a pressure ventilation fan. The owner was home at the time of the fire. He was able to escape out of the back rear side of the home and call 911. Firefighters were on scene for over one and a half hours putting out the fire, ventilating and investigating. The home is able to be occupied at this time. Le Mars EMS members checked the owner out and provided rehab to the firefighters at the scene. The origin of this fire was determined to be located on the east side of the home. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. The most probable cause of the fire was spilled gasoline on the driveway that was ignited by a grill. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $10,000.