Two injured in blaze early Thursday morning


Two people were treated at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Muscatine following an early morning fire Thursday in Muscatine.

The Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call of flames coming from a window at 620½ Sycamore Street at approximately 6:02 a.m. Thursday, the fire department said in a news release.

Muscatine Fire Department crews found smoke and some flames coming from a second story window upon arrival. The structure was a single family dwelling that was converted into a two unit apartment building.

Fire crews accessed the structure and found the seat of the fire on the second floor. At the same time an occupant was found on the third floor directly above the fire and was removed by fire department staff. The occupant was transported to Trinity Muscatine in stable condition.

Fire units were able to bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

Due to the building construction and the involvement of living room furniture, the fire had created extensive smoke and high heat conditions on the second floor.

While fighting the fire one fire department member became overheated and was subsequently transported to Trinity Muscatine via ambulance, in stable condition. That fire fighter has since been discharged.

The initial damage estimate is $35,000. The tenants of the two units have been referred to the Red Cross as the building will not be inhabitable for some time.

An estimated 20 fire fighters responded. This includes not only off duty personnel called in but also mutual aid resources form the Fruitland Fire Department. There was also an agent of the Iowa State Fire Marshal Office who responded to the scene to provide additional investigative support. The Muscatine Police Department provided scene safety and assistance with emergency response and investigative support.

Investigators are presently on scene but should be completing the on scene portion within the next few hours. A cause has not been determined.

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