By WES KAPPELMAN
The Oskaloosa Herald
OSKALOOSA
August 22, 2008 11:11 am
—
Two fires have cost a Mahaska County family its home.
Someone called in the first fire at 1405 185th Street on Monday, Aug. 18, at 4:35 p.m. The Pella Fire Department responded.
Fire investigator Gordy Gritters said the cause of the fire is undetermined and the state fire marshal is assisting with the investigation. He said the fire appeared to have started in the master bedroom and then expanded to the rest of the house.
The residents were not home during the first fire or the second, which happened on Wednesday morning. The Pella Fire Department got the call at 2 a.m.
“The house was completely engulfed,” Gritters said.
He said the firefighters tried to knock down the fire and keep it under control. They also shut off the propane tank and kept it cool by spraying it with water. Another goal was to protect the garage, which is not attached to the house.
Gritters said the fire department was on the scene for approximately six hours on Wednesday morning. The cause of the second fire is under investigation, but one possibility is a hot spot in the insulation went undetected.
Wes Van Maanen owned the house.
Red Cross volunteers have met with the family and are assisting them. The Red Cross provides shelter and basic emergency needs. People that wish to help the family can call the Mahaska County Red Cross chapter at (641) 673-4306.
Herald staff writer Wes Kappelman can be reached by e-mail at news2@oskyherald.com
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