Vacant structure fire on Fillmore Street

According to an Osceola Volunteer Fire Department report, a call was made to the OVFD at 5:13 a.m. April 15 saying the structure at 704 S. Fillmore St. was on fire. Osceola Police were notified that the structure was engulfed in flames before the arrival of the OVFD at 5:24 a.m. Alliant Energy had been notified of the fire.

The first firetruck arrived with three firefighters who noticed that the flames were causing a hazard to the houses north and south of the property. A two man team used the ultra high pressure line to the south side of the residence to protect the house to the southern neighboring house.

Four more firefighters arrived at 5:27 a.m. and were able to pull from the line on the north side of the property to protect the northern neighboring house. The house to the north sustained some damages from the flames due to the close proximity such as melted siding and broken windows.

Osceola Police were able to keep an eye on a downed power line in the front of house while the OVFD worked to tame the blaze. At 5:28 a.m. Woodburn Fire Department arrived to assist. At 6:01 a.m. Alliant Energy shut off power. At 6:07 a.m. Murray Fire Department arrived to assist.

Shane Blakely and a two man crew were called to cut down two trees which were causing a hazard to the neighboring residences.

By 7:26 a.m. the fire was out and only a mop up crew needed to be on site. The site was deemed all clear at 8:23 a.m. though the basement and trees would continue to smolder.

The owner of the property Brett Jones, of 145 E. Prairie St. Truro requested the Fire Marshal’s office be called to investigate. The cause of the fire is yet unknown. The investigation is being handled between the Fire Marshal and the Osceola Police Department.

Estimated damage was $46,000 to Jones’ property and contents.