MASON CITY – Two houses suffered damage in Mason City when debris burning in a fire pit ignited one structure which led to the house next door also feeling the heat.
On March 13, 2024, at 12:21 PM, the Mason City Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the intersection of 12th St NW and N. Polk. A citizen in the area noticed flames on the south side of 1003 12th St NW and called 911. 1003 12th St NW and 1104 N. Polk were the location of the houses on fire. The fire started on the exterior of 1003 12th St. NW and carried into that building. The fire extended to the neighbor’s house at 1104 N. Polk, and this fire was contained to the exterior of that structure. MCFD crews quickly extinguished the fire in both structures while performing search and rescue operations.
There were no injuries reported.
1003 12th St. NW (pictured at top) sustained fire and smoke damage inside and outside the house. 1104 N. Polk sustained fire damage to the exterior on the north side of the building with minor smoke damage inside.
Several concerned citizens in the area assisted with notifying residents in both houses that were on fire and assisting with getting them out of the house safely prior to MCFD arriving on scene. The Mason City Fire Department would like to thank the citizens that helped their neighbors in their time of need.
The fire is considered accidental and was caused by burning debris in a fire pit that extended to both houses.
Estimated loss is yet to be determined.
The Mason City Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Mason City Police Department, Alliant Energy, Mason City Operations and Maintenance Department – Street Division Operations, and Salvation Army.
Mason City Fire Department cleared the scene at 2:02 p.m.
