A late-night fire at a two-story residence near North 22nd and Floral on the north side of the city in Fort Dodge left seven people and six dogs temporarily displaced after crews reported heavy smoke and extensive damage to the attic, officials said.

The Fort Dodge Fire Department responded to the structure fire around 2:30 AM and brought the fire under control within approximately 16 minutes, department sources said. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the attic when they arrived and described the fire as producing “extensive damage to the attic.” Officials credited quick action and the proximity of a water source for limiting the fire’s reach.

“Easy access to a fire hydrant helped keep the fire under control,” a department spokesperson said, noting that the hydrant allowed crews to limit the advance while they extinguished hot spots in the attic space. Firefighters concentrated their operations on the upper level to prevent the blaze from spreading into the rest of the home and neighboring properties.

Crews worked methodically to clear the house and account for occupants. All residents left the scene, authorities said, and the six dogs were removed from the property by residents and responding personnel. Video footage of the incident and the department’s response is available on YouTube, showing crews operating on the exterior and attending to the structure after the main fire was knocked down.

Officials remained on scene for several hours, extinguishing remaining hot spots in the attic and conducting checks for lingering hazards. The Fort Dodge Fire Department led the emergency response and coordinated with other city personnel as investigators began an initial assessment of the damage and the home’s habitability. “The attic sustained the worst of the damage,” officials said, adding that investigators will determine the fire’s origin once conditions are safe.

Residents displaced by the incident left with pets and personal belongings and were assisted by responding crews as they moved to temporary accommodations, authorities reported. The department said it had secured the area before turning over the site to investigators and city officials to evaluate structural conditions and the scope of damage to the upper portion of the home.

Fire officials emphasized the challenges pets can pose in residential fires. The most common causes of house fires involving pets include pets accidentally turning on kitchen stove knobs, knocking over lit candles, chewing on electrical cords, and jumping on appliances, they said. They also noted how common pet ownership is in the United States: approximately 71% of U.S. households own at least one pet, representing roughly 94 million families, with 51% of households owning dogs and 37% owning cats.

In this incident, the department’s rapid response and the nearby hydrant helped prevent a larger conflagration in the neighborhood. Firefighters performed a final sweep of the structure to check for rekindling and other hazards before clearing the scene. Investigators and city officials will continue their assessment to determine next steps for repairs and any assistance the displaced household may require.

The Fort Dodge Fire Department remained the lead agency throughout the response and recovery phase. Officials reiterated that the combination of early detection, a timely response and water access were key factors in limiting the fire to the home’s upper level and preventing broader damage to neighboring homes.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.