FORT MADISON – Fort Madison firefighters battled an early morning blaze south of Central Park Friday.
According to a release to 922 Avenue F for a report of a fire at the rear of the residence. The caller indicated that the house was unoccupied.
Engines 9411 and 9415, staffed with four personnel, were en-route by 1:10 AM and arrived on the scene at 1:13 AM. Crews encountered a three-story Victorian-style duplex with light smoke visible from the Avenue F side and flames emerging from the rear of the second story on the 924 Avenue F side.
Captain Blanchard assumed command and issued an “All Call” to summon off-duty personnel. Crews deployed two preconnected hoses, initiating an exterior attack from the backyard to suppress the flames. Firefighters determined the fire was primarily located on the upper floors of the 924 Avenue F side of the structure.
An aggressive interior attack was initiated through the Avenue F side. Interior crews encountered moderate smoke conditions on the first floor and quickly observed flames at the ceiling of the front room. Advancing through the structure, they extinguished fire while navigating compromised flooring, where portions of the second floor had burned through. On the second floor, crews encountered heavy fire, which was extinguished despite flames running through void spaces that required extensive overhaul efforts.
Off-duty firefighters arrived at 1:35 AM to assist. Crews successfully protected the neighboring house from damage. However, the fire caused significant damage to the duplex, including fire and water-related damage.
FMFD remained on the scene for approximately three hours and 45 minutes, concluding fire ground operations at 4:58 AM. All units were back in service by 5:00 AM.
The Fort Madison Police Department and Lee County Ambulance assisted at the scene. The fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.
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