Area fire depts. battle Riverside blaze

By Molly Roberts
Posted 11/10/20

On Thursday, Nov. 5, the Riverside Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire in the 1400 block of Underwood Ave just before noon.

The Riverside Fire Department responded with auto aid from …

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Area fire depts. battle Riverside blaze

Posted

On Thursday, Nov. 5, the Riverside Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire in the 1400 block of Underwood Ave just before noon.

The Riverside Fire Department responded with auto aid from the Ainsworth and Kalona Fire Departments and, after Riverside requested a second alarm, the Hills and Lone Tree Fire Departments also assisted at the scene.

The smoke column could be seen from miles away. The Riverside Fire Department arrived to find a detached garage that had collapsed and fire had spread to the house, which had flames showing from the first and second floor windows.

According to Riverside Fire Chief Chad Smothers, the crews on scene made an aggressive interior fire attack with coordinated vertical ventilation while a primary search confirmed that there were no civilians inside the house.

The fire was brought under control in 45 minutes and crews remained on the scene for another two hours checking for extension and performing overhaul.

The state Fire Marshal’s office assisted in the investigation. Also assisting at the scene was Washington County Ambulance Service, Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Washington County Safety Center.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.