Crews needed three hose lines to extinguish the fire, the Knoxville Fire Department said. The home has been declared a total loss.
KNOXVILLE, Iowa — One person is injured and several pets are dead following a house fire in Knoxville Sunday afternoon, according to the Knoxville Fire Department.
Knoxville Fire was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Lincoln Street around 3:40 p.m. While enroute to the house, crews saw a large black column of smoke and requested additional fire personnel.
Upon arrival, crews found fire coming out the living room windows and front door, as well as heavy smoke throughout the house.
One victim self-evacuated and was initially taken to Knoxville Hospital. They were later taken by air ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Several pets who were inside the home at the time of the fire died.
Crews needed three hose lines to extinguish the fire, Knoxville Fire said. They conducted salvage and overhaul operations, but the home was declared a total loss.
Red Cross has been contacted to assist the family with the loss of their home and pets, the fire department said.
Knoxville Fire says the fire appears to have started by the use of alternate heat sources. The situation is currently under investigation by the Knoxville Fire Department, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigator.
