On Wednesday June 29, 2022 at 4:33 A.M., the Ottumwa Fire Department responded to the report of a building fire at 701 Ellis Ave. All on duty firefighters responded with two fire engines. Engine 2 located at Station 2 arrived four minutes after being dispatched and engine 3 from Central Station arrived six minutes after being dispatched. First arriving units found heavy smoke emitting from the building and firefighters initiated an offensive fire attack going directly to the fire. The fire was quickly knocked down within five minutes of arrival. Due to the heavy smoke conditions, it took over thirty minutes to evacuate all of the remaining smoke from the building.
Once the fire was determined to be out and overhaul was completed, a fire investigation ensued. The cause of the fire was determined to be a faulty electrical circuit in a junction box located in an interior wall in the basement. Fire damage is estimated to be in excess of $100,000 and the building is insured.
Alliant Energy, Mid-American Energy, Ottumwa Police Dept., Ottumwa Police Dept. Communications, ATF and Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted the Ottumwa Fire Department.
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