Spencer family homeless after fire
By Russ Oechslin Journal correspondent | Posted: Sunday, July 20, 2008
SPENCER, Iowa -- A Friday afternoon fire that left a Spencer couple homeless was accidental, started by electricity, Dave Schipper of the state fire marshal's office said.
A Spencer police officer was the first to spot the flames at the mobile home Mark and Debbie Foster were renting from Bill Caskey at 317 West 18th St. Mark Foster, who was at home when the blaze broke out, was able to escape. Two pets perished in the blaze. Damages were estimated to be $20,000.
Schipper, who also works with the Spencer Fire Department, explained late Friday that firefighters could see the smoke from the fire more than 10 blocks away.
The Fosters were reported to be receiving aid over the weekend from the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Spencer volunteer firefighters left the scene about an hour after the fire was reported at 2:41 p.m., only to be called back shortly after midnight to put out a flare up reported by a 911 caller.
Schipper indicated the fire started in the north wall of the structure. Foster said he was having electrical troubles with the air conditioner Friday morning.
A Spencer police officer was the first to spot the flames at the mobile home Mark and Debbie Foster were renting from Bill Caskey at 317 West 18th St. Mark Foster, who was at home when the blaze broke out, was able to escape. Two pets perished in the blaze. Damages were estimated to be $20,000.
Schipper, who also works with the Spencer Fire Department, explained late Friday that firefighters could see the smoke from the fire more than 10 blocks away.
The Fosters were reported to be receiving aid over the weekend from the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Spencer volunteer firefighters left the scene about an hour after the fire was reported at 2:41 p.m., only to be called back shortly after midnight to put out a flare up reported by a 911 caller.
Schipper indicated the fire started in the north wall of the structure. Foster said he was having electrical troubles with the air conditioner Friday morning.
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