By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Pocahontas, IA – Two people have died following a house fire Friday afternoon in Pocahontas.
The victims were a 65-year-old woman and three-year-old child. One firefighter and one police officer also suffered injuries while responding to the incident.
According to a press release from the Pocahontas Police Department, the fire was reported at approximately 4:53 p.m. Friday, November 13th, at 406 Second Avenue Northwest.
Witnesses indicated there were possibly two individuals inside the residence when the fire broke out. Responding Pocahontas police officers attempted to enter the home but were unable to do so because of the intensity of the fire.
The Pocahontas Fire Department responded and battled the blaze with assistance from multiple area fire departments. Once the fire was extinguished, two individuals were located inside the residence.
Both individuals were transported by EMS to Pocahontas Community Hospital. A 65-year-old woman and a three-year-old child were pronounced dead.
According to Cheif of Police Alex Leu, the incident also resulted in injuries to two Pocahontas first responders. One Pocahontas firefighter and one Pocahontas police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated at Pocahontas Community Hospital.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown and remains under investigation. Authorities are withholding the victims’ names until family members have been notified.
Multiple area agencies assisted with the response, including the Pocahontas Police Department, Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office; Laurens, Fonda, Pocahontas, Rolfe and Plover Fire Departments; Fonda and Laurens EMS Departments; MercyOne LifeFlight; and the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office.
Additional information has not been released at this time.