Residents, family pet uninjured in early morning house fire
by City of Muscatine
February 20, 2020

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Two Muscatine residents and their family pet escaped injury Thursday (Feb. 20) from an early morning fire in their home.

The Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call at approximately 4:12 a.m. Thursday of a roof on fire at 2914 Fairhaven Street. It was initially unknown if any occupants were in the house.

The fire was discovered by some people driving by, and their efforts to alert the occupants were unsuccessful. MUSCOM called the residents and alerted them of the fire at the same time Muscatine Police Department officers arrived at the home. The officers were able to force the door open and were met by the occupants. Fire crews were on scene shortly thereafter as several units were returning from a medical call.

Both occupants and their dog were able to escape without injury.

Flames were found on the roof near the chimney of the home when the Muscatine Fire Department arrived at the scene. Fire attack was initiated and the main body of the fire was extinguished within about 10 minutes. However, due to the scorching of blown-in insulation in the attic areas, crews remained on scene for several hours to ensure the fire was completely out. The attic and roof will likely need to be replaced with the initial damage estimated at $30,000.

There were no injuries to any occupants or responders. An estimated 18 fire fighters – including off duty staff – responded. This also includes an automatic mutual aid assistance from the Fruitland Fire Department. The Muscatine Police Department provided support with initial response and traffic control. The Red Cross was called to the scene to provide assistance to the fire victims.

For more information, contact Mike Hartman, Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal at 563-263-9233 or email mhartman@muscatineiowa.gov.

About the Muscatine Fire Department:

The Muscatine Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services, rescues (high angle, rope, water, etc.), building inspections, and public education for the City of Muscatine, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Muscatine County with a combined population of 43,000 across 145 square miles while also providing HAZMAT for Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Keokuk, and Henry counties. MFD firefighters and paramedics responded to 5,238 calls in 2019. The Muscatine Fire Department began as a volunteer fire company on January 7, 1875 and was established as a full-time department in January 1916. The Muscatine Fire Department ambulance service received the 2012 Career Ambulance service of the Year Award from Iowa Emergency Medical Services.

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