MASON CITY – A house fire last week caused about $20,000 in damage.
The incident took place at 330 East State Street in the heart of the Cultural Crescent on Thursday, February 27th at about 2:15 AM. The house is adjacent to other houses that are being torn down to make room for the historic Egloff House, that will be moved to that block this spring. The multi-family dwelling is owned by Russ Hardy.
According to a report, $20,000 in damage was inflicted upon the apartment house and its contents. No one was harmed in the incident. Police informed fire fighters upon their arrial that everyone was out from the 2nd story apartment and they could not gain access to the 1st floor apartments. Police were with the occupant of unit 4 who stated that the fire was in the kitchen of her apartment on the second floor. The two apartments on the first floor had the doors forced open, and no smoke or fire was found in either. A male was found in a first floor apartment and would not exit. He finally exited and stood with the police.
A resident told emergency responders that she was heating the house with an electric stove and fell asleep. This was confirmed and is believed to be the cause of the fire. The Red Cross was contacted to help the occupants of the apartment.
The problem is not what the house is worth today. It is what it will cost to rebuild it to it’s original condition. A lot of these old houses were once grand homes and still have oak floors and woodwork in them (Even though some idiot has probably painted over them) the insurance must do full replacement. That is where the dollar amount comes from. In most cases they would not even rebuild a home that has deteriorated that much. They just take the money and run.
that house aint worth 20 dollars. if there was 20.00 in that house it must of been a bag of weed.
It would serve the community well to tear it down. But the owner has political clout, so that will never happen.
That house looks like it belongs in the Cultural Crescent.