At 7:02 AM Tuesday August 24, 2021 the Burlington Fire and Police Departments responded to
a reported house fire at 1126 Washington Street in Burlington. Firefighters arrived at 7:04 AM
to find a two-story apartment house with heavy fire showing in the front. Initial 911 calls to
DESCOM reported people trapped inside the house. Dispatchers worked with the callers to
obtain information on their locations as police officers and firefighters worked outside to
evacuate the house and bring the fire under control.
The 4-unit apartment house, owned by Wilson Rentals of Burlington, sustained extensive
damage and is considered a total loss. The property is insured. Three of the four units were
occupied with a total of 4 occupants. Two of the occupants were injured. They were treated at
the scene and transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. A
third occupant escaped uninjured and left the scene prior to police arrival. The two occupants
were treated and released from the hospital.
Firefighters conducted a search of the building and located a fourth occupant, Samantha M.
Hoenig, 44. Ms. Hoenig was removed from the house by firefighters. Paramedics treated Ms.
Hoenig at the scene and transported her to SEIRMC where she later died of her injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Police and Fire Departments
and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office. It is not considered suspicious at this time.
Eleven Burlington firefighters initially responded to the call and were assisted by five West
Burlington firefighters responding on automatic aid. Burlington police officers and deputies
from Des Moines County Sheriff’s office assisted with injured victims and fireground
operations. Superior Ambulance, Alliant Energy, and 1-800-Board-Up provided vital assistance
at the scene. One firefighter was injured and was being treated at the hospital