MASON CITY, IA - A Mason City family is out of their home this evening after a fire.
Investigators say the blaze was started by a wood burning furnace that got too hot. Usually it’s a common source for fires this time of year, but our mild winter is keeping heating related fires at bay. However firefighters say that isn't an excuse to let your guard down.
“I was sitting here, drinking my coffee and all the sudden I seen smoke blowing out and I figured, ‘what in the world is going on here?” said Donnie Timmons.
Fire crews were called to a trailer home on 9 North Quincy Terrace around 9:30 a.m. Monday. Neighbor Donnie Timmons witnessed it all.
“I didn't see any flames I just saw a lot of smoke coming out,” said Timmons.
Timmons says the wood burning systems are popular in trailer park homes because they produce a lot of heat relatively cheap, but they can also be more dangerous than traditional systems and cause more damage.
The Mason City Fire Department says fires like this one caused by furnaces and other heating systems are less common this year because of the mild temperatures, but that doesn't mean the department is any less busy.
“The candles, the cigarettes, stuff on the stove we still have those I can't say the fires have been down they've just been different,” said Bob Platts, Mason City fire chief.
Platts explains even though heating related fires are down this season it's still important to be vigilant.
“There's never a good time to let your guard down again making sure your smoke detectors are current tested have batteries in them if they're over ten years old they should be replaced,” said Platts.
But while the types of fires this season may be different, the response by neighbors and those in the community is still the same.
“Everybody kind of pitch in together and help one another,” said Timmons.
The Mason City Fire Marshall says no one was injured in this morning's fire. He says the Red Cross of North Central Iowa is assisting the family in finding a place to stay while their home is restored.
Chief Platts says when fires do occur the warm temps help the crews get it out fast. He says they haven't had to worry much about hoses and hydrants freezing up this winter.
