MASON CITY – A Friday afternoon fire at a Mason City home was caused by a hungry dog, authorities say, costing two kitties their lives and displacing a family.
On October 10, 2025, at 2:48 PM, the Mason City Fire Department responded to a report of an apartment fire at 1601 6th Pl SE. Fire crews arrived hearing smoke alarms sounding and seeing smoke coming from the doors and a fire in the kitchen area. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters.
The investigation determined that the fire was caused by the gas stove being turned on when the family’s dog jumped onto the stove seeking food left in a plastic bowl. The fire was ruled accidental and unintentional.
The occupants were not home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The dog was out of the apartment upon arrival of the fire department. Firefighters did rescue one cat, while two other cats perished. The occupants are displaced from the apartment and will be staying with family.
The building is owned by MCB 8 Properties LLC doing business in Mason City as Timber Creek Townhouses.
The Mason City Fire Department remained on scene until 5:15 p.m. and was assisted by Mason City Police Department and Alliant Energy.
Mason City Fire Department would like to remind everyone to change their smoke detector batteries as it is Fire Prevention Week.