Home on Storms Ct. catches fire a third time

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - A small home on Storms Court in Fort Madison caught fire Thursday evening at about 9:40 p.m., but according to the owner it was the third time the home has caught fire.

The home, located at 21 Storms Court, is listed on the Lee County Treasurer's website as being owned by Christopher Helmick. Helmick confirmed ownership on a Facebook thread.

Fire Chief Joey Herren was at the scene and questioned Helmick about the blaze. Helmick said he hadn't been in the home that day, but there was electricity running on the property.

The fire started in the garage and the garage became fully engulfed before firefighters quickly had the blaze under control.

Flames continued to crop up along the roof top and then the inside of the home caught fire and was quickly extinguished by firefighters.

No one was home at the time the fire started, as Helmick pulled up to the scene about 20 minutes after firefighters were called out.

The Fort Madison Fire Department was put on an all-call for backup at the station.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.