By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – A building owned by Hoag’s Plumbing & Heating was destroyed in a structure fire Wednesday afternoon in Humboldt. Multiple emergency crews responded, and no injuries were reported.
The Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center says the call came in at 12:24 p.m. Wednesday at 19 8th Street South.
Humboldt County Sheriff Dean Kruger said the building was fully engulfed by the time he arrived at the scene. He also confirmed that Dwayne Zeller, the owner of Hoag’s Plumbing & Heating, was not inside the building.
Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant Chief Trey Thompson said firefighters could see smoke from the fire station when the initial page came in. Upon arrival, crews found the building fully involved in flames and immediately began applying water.
Firefighters were briefly able to enter the building before a ceiling collapse forced them to switch to an exterior attack. Crews also used firefighting foam to control a burning work pickup inside the structure.
Thompson said the building contained equipment and vehicles, including a work truck and skid loader, along with other items that contributed fuel to the fire.
Firefighters from Humboldt, Livermore, Bode and Renwick responded to assist with the fire. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and Humboldt EMS also responded. Thompson praised the cooperation among the departments, saying the additional personnel were important in bringing the fire under control.
Firefighters continued working to address hotspots and reduce the risk of the fire reigniting. Thompson said crews planned to check the building again later to ensure no additional hotspots developed.
The fire also affected nearby properties. Thompson said the Humboldt Rifle and Pistol Club sustained smoke inside the building, which firefighters ventilated.
The neighboring building to the south sustained exterior damage from the heat, including damage to windows, exterior meters and molding. Thompson said no fire had entered that building as of his interview, and no structural damage had been confirmed.
At the request of the Humboldt Fire Department, MidAmerican Energy shut off power to approximately 600 residences while firefighters worked around electrical lines and continued addressing hotspots.
Power has since been restored. 8th Street South between Sumner Avenue and 1st Avenue South was closed during the response, but roads in the area are beginning to reopen.
The Hoag’s Plumbing & Heating building is considered a total loss. Officials have not determined the cause of the fire, and no damage estimate has been released.
No injuries were reported, and officials said no one was inside the building when firefighters arrived.