Basement fire causes smoke damage

(Photo by Anitra Wolf) Firefighters think the house at 1031 Lakeshore Drive will be usable again following a fire Thursday night. The house was rented by five individuals and is owned by Lakes businessman Butch Parks.

Daily Reporter Staff

Members of the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue Department spent about three hours putting out a house fire along Lakeshore Drive Thursday night.

Firefighters received a call at 9:09 p.m. about smoke coming from a home owned by Butch Parks at 1301 Lakeshore Drive.

The 2 1/2-story home is rented by five individuals, but was unoccupied when the fire began in the basement. The responding firefighters also were unharmed.

The Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Department and the Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office conducted the investigation.

"The cause of the fire was ruled accidental with the area of origin being located in the electrical room on the northeast corner of the basement," a statement from fire chief Chris Yungbluth said. "The cause was determined to be an electrical equipment malfunction at the main electrical panel in the home."

The Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Department was assisted by the Okoboji Police Department Lakes Regional Healthcare Ambulance, Arnolds Park Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff's Office and the State Fire Marshal's Office. The Lakes Area Fire Boat was on scene but was not needed.

"Actually the main floor, the second floor -- and then there's a third-floor loft -- has pretty light smoke damage," Yungbluth said. "You probably wouldn't be able to tell when you went in there today that there was a fire."

The basement is where a majority of the heat and fire damage occurred.

"It's basically contained to one room and then there's some water damage throughout the rest of the basement," the fire chief said. "They had some throw rugs and carpet remnants that are pretty soaked with water from where we hit the fire."

The house will be usable again, but the main electrical service in the home will have to be repaired before anyone can move back in.

"This fire is a reminder to be cautious during this hot weather, not to overload electrical circuits with home air condition units and, if your breaker is popping off or the fuse is blowing, that should serve as a warning that your circuits are being overloaded and you are at a high risk of having a home fire," he said.

Youngbluth also reminded residents to check their smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries twice a year. Residents should make sure they have a well-practiced escape plan for their home.