At 8:53 am, Sunday, June 27, 2021 the Ottumwa Fire Department responded to the report of a house on fire at 306 E. Park St. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 8:58 am to find heavy smoke and fire coming from a single story wood framed residential structure. Firefighters initially knocked the fire down from the exterior of the structure due to the floor being burned through and the heavy fire conditions. The fire was knocked down within twenty minutes of arrival and crews completed overhaul operations and deemed the fire out within thirty minutes of arrival.
The structure is a total loss as well as the contents. The structure was occupied at the time of the fire. However, the dwelling had been placarded as unfit for habitation by the Building and Code Enforcement Department. This case highlights the very serious risks of occupying placarded buildings. According to the Wapello County Assessor’s website the property is owned by Sarah Murphey and is being sold on contract to Todd Downing. There is no insurance on the property.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Ottumwa Fire Department.
The Ottumwa Fire Department responded with all on duty personnel which was six firefighters and an additional alarm was called for bringing six additional firefighters to the scene. O.R.M.I.C.S., Ottumwa Police Department, Ottumwa Police Department Communications, Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy and the American Red Cross all assisted.
