Structure fire in Knoxville

On April 25 at 9:10 a.m., the Knoxville Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in the 400 block of S. 7th St. 

While enroute crews were able to see a large column of smoke. A working fire assignment was requested.  

Knoxville City Fire Department responded with one engine company, one EMS company, one truck company and two command officers.   When crews arrived, they found a two-story home with extensive fire coming from the rear of the home and from the roof.     

Crews stretched two hoses lines and started making fire attack. Incident command on scene requested a second alarm to bring more resources to the scene.  Crews were starting to make progress on fire attack when the roof started to collapse.  They were pulled from the structure, and master streams were started from ladder trucks on scene.  

Crews were able to extinguish a large majority of the fire with the master streams in about 10 minutes.   Crews then went back to interior operations extinguishing the fire and conduction salvage and overhaul operations. Crews were able to bring the fire under control in about 45 minutes.   

Four residents were displaced from the fire and being assisted by the Red Cross and First Resources Corp.  

The fire is currently under investigation with no cause at this time. The home and its content are considered a total loss.  

Knoxville Fire Department was assisted by: Knoxville Police, Knoxville Rural Fire Department, Indiana Township Fire Department, Pleasantville Fire Department, Pella Fire Department, Marion County EMA, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Pella EMS, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Alliant and Mid-American utility companies.