An investigation is underway after the Ames Fire Department responded to a residential house fire at 250 S. Franklin Ave. at 4:42 p.m. Tuesday.
Crews were dispatched as flames were reported in an upstairs bedroom. No occupants were injured in the fire, although two cats died in the incident. According to Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins, the investigation is still ongoing.
According to a press release released Wednesday morning, smoke detectors prompted the homeowner to investigate.
“Four kids and their mother was at home at the time of the fire,” Higgins said.
After discovering the flames, the homeowner closed the bedroom door in an attempt to contain the flames and safely evacuated her four children, one dog and one cat.
“She was able to get the kids out and call 911, as well as trying to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher,” Higgins said.
Before firefighters arrived, the homeowner used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames, the press release stated. Higgins said that while the homeowner tried to extinguish the flames, she needed the fire crews to arrive.
“Unfortunately, she recognized that the fire wasn’t going out, and she needed to evacuate the property with the kids and call us in,” Higgins said.
Fire crews quickly put out the remaining flames and conducted an extensive overhaul and salvage operation to be sure the fire was fully extinguished.
Higgins said that the home’s occupants are under the care of the Red Cross.
“The occupants are being assisted by the Red Cross, which is taking care of them for housing and recovery,” Higgins said.
According to the press release, one firefighter was evaluated by Mary Greeley Medical Center paramedics on the scene but was not transported to the hospital.
Chief Higgins said the department is investigating the cause, and additional information is not available at this time.
“I don’t have a ton of extra information, as the fire is still under investigation. We’re trying to identify exactly what caused it and where the origin was,” Higgins said.
This week marks Fire Prevention Week, and the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety practices.
“Closing a door behind you can significantly slow the spread of smoke and fire, providing valuable time for safe evacuation and response,” the press release said.
