CLEAR LAKE – A family’s home suffered expensive and extensive damage Tuesday, with one person escaping the blaze.
The Clear Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire Tuesday afternoon at 12:36 PM. The property address is 1021 North 8th Street in Clear Lake, Iowa. The Clear Lake Fire Department responded with 1 ladder company, 2 engine companies, 1 ambulance with 13 firefighters. Also responding in mutual aid capacity was the Ventura Fire Department with 1 engine company and 6 firefighters. Upon arrival of the first due companies heavy fire was venting from 2 main floor windows and heavy smoke was showing from the entire structure. Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack on the fire, ventilated the roof to release smoke and heat from the house, and preformed overhaul. The house suffered extensive damage throughout the main floor and attic areas. Smoke damage occurred in the basement level.
Damage is estimated at $250,000.
Cause of the fire is under investigation.
The property is owned and occupied by Robert and Jill Branstad. One of the homeowners daughters was at home at the time of the fire and escaped without injury.
Assisting at the scene were the Clear Lake Police Department and Alliant Energy. All fire units cleared the scene at 2:46 PM and were back in service at 3:30.
