A fire broke out on Sunday evening in rural Wapello. Just before 7:30pm on March 10th, Wapello Fire and Rescue was called to 11682 K Avenue on a report of a structure fire. Grandview Fire Department was also paged. Heavy smoke and flames could be observed from several miles away so assistance was requested from several area fire departments.
Fire crews arrived on scene to find a 32′ x 82′ machine shed fully engulfed in flames. The fire was spreading to the adjacent grass and timber and the heat was damaging a camper that was parked nearby. The fire was quickly brought under control and was eventually extinguished by firefighters. The building and contents were a total loss. The building and some of the contents were insured by the property owner however, the remaining personal property owned by the tenants was not insured. The estimated damage to the structure is $35,000 and the damaged contents are estimated at $25,000.
There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is undetermined but is considered accidental. A total of fifteen Wapello firefighters responded to the incident and were assisted by seven Grandview firefighters, nine Columbus Junction firefighters and nine Morning Sun firefighters. Also assisting was Wapello Community Ambulance and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.