OTTUMWA —
Officials are still investigating a suspicious house fire that occured Monday night.
Fire crews responded to a house in the 1300 block of North Court Street at 11:46 p.m. Monday. Ottumwa Fire Deputy Chief Cory Benge said a family of seven — two adults and five children — made it out with no injuries, but there were no working smoke detectors in the house.
“The fire started on the outside of the house and progressed inside,” Benge said. “We do not know what started it, but foul play is suspected, unfortunately.”
According to police records, first-degree arson was reported at the residence at 11:46 p.m. Monday.
Benge said the department is not releasing the names of the residents, but the five children range in age from 4-17 years old.
“Between smoke and water damage, the house is about a total loss,” Benge said. “It doesn’t look bad from the road because the back of the house is where it burned.”
The house suffered 30 percent fire damage and 100 percent smoke and water damage, meaning 30 percent of the structure was burned and the entire structure suffered smoke and water damage.
Benge said anyone with information regarding the fire can call the Ottumwa Fire Department at 641-683-0666.
Brandon Holstrom, response coordinator for the local Red Cross, said the Red Cross is working with the family on their long-term needs.
“Typically we don’t accept donations on the clients’ behalf. We just don’t have the resources to hold onto it,” Holstrom said. “We did assist the family last night, a little after midnight. We provided them food, shelter and clothing.”
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Related Photos
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Fire crews responded to a first-degree arson call in the 1300 block of North Court Street at 11:46 p.m. Monday. A family of seven made it safely out of the house. Chelsea Davis/The Courier
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‘Foul play’ suspected in Ottumwa house fire
Smoke and water damage cause house to be a total loss
- CNHI/Southeast Iowa
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