ESTHERVILLE – Police in Estherville are praising the efforts of four men who they say saved elderly and diabetic;ed residents from an apartment house fire.
On Monday, April 10, 2023, the Estherville Fire Department was paged to 203 South 28th Street in Estherville for a possible structure fire. When Law Enforcement arrived on scene, they confirmed that the building to the west that had four apartments occupied by several elderly and disabled residents was on fire.
Law Enforcement and volunteers quickly started to check each apartment for possible victims inside. Eli Fehr (Wallingford Fire) came upon on locked apartment. Eli alerted Deputy David Greenwald about the locked apartment door and that someone could still be inside. At this time both Deputy David Greenwald and Eli Fehr could hear someone inside the apartment that had heavy smoke coming out of the roof. Deputy David Greenwald decided to force his way into the apartment to help the victim. At this time Estherville Police Officer Jacob Hinrickson arrived on scene along with Jason Edwards who ran over from his business JS Custom to see if he could help. Because of the bravery of all four of these men, there were no fatalities at this fire. All four of these men made entry into heavy smoke environment with flames above their head, to save someone they didn’t know. After they pulled the victim out of the apartment, he was transported to Avera Holy Family for smoke inhalation concerns.
The Estherville Fire Department doesn’t promote people without special training and equipment to make entry into these kinds of atmosphere, because of the danger that it can cause the rescuer. However, we do recognize the quick actions and bravery of all four of these men.
The Estherville Fire Department was assisted at the scene by Wallingford Fire Department, Gruver Fire Department, Estherville Police Department, Emmet County Sheriff’s Department, Estherville Ambulance, City Electric Department, City of Estherville Street Department, Red Cross and Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office.
When fire crews came on scene, the fire had already made it way into the attic and started to spread to all four apartments. Firefighters on scene went straight to a defensive fire attack until the fire was under control.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but the origin of fire is believed to have started outside the apartment complex.
Firefighters were on scene for almost four hours and then back again for a rekindle in the middle of the night.
(PHOTO of fire via Estherville police)