Occupants escape injury from Humboldt house fire

HUMBOLDT – The Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department reported a structure fire around 5 a.m. Thursday at Ninth and Central.

Fire Chief Rex Kappel said the couple living at the house escaped without injury, but there was extensive smoke damage through the residence. A pet bird did not survive.

Humboldt firefighters arrived with the pumper truck and charged a line with the laundry room of the residence fully engulfed in flames. A space heater is suspected of causing the fire, but the State Fire Marshal’s Office is asked to make an official determination.

 Kappel said an interior attack crew was able to knock down the flames. Firefighters ventilated the house to get smoke out.

The residence were warm inside of vehicles and had emergency shelter with family members.

Crews were on the scene for nearly four hours.

 

Chief Kappel said a State Fire Marshal assessment of the needs for electrical upgrades in the residence could delay a return to the home.

Pastor Tim Llewellyn of Faith Lutheran Church said the church is assessing the needs of the family at this time.

 Photos courtesy Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department