By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News
news@kcautv.com
UPDATE: We now know what caused an apartment complex fire in Okoboji on Monday afternoon.
According to Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth, the fire was accidental and began in a utility closet.
No injuries were reported, however, one pet cat was killed in the fire.
Three other cats were rescued and resuscitated using donated pet oxygen masks.
Damage to the apartment complex is estimated to be around $500,000.
By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News
news@kcautv.com
13 people have been displaced after an apartment fire in Okoboji.
Okoboji Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth tells us that the fire sparked just before 3:00 p.m on Monday. It happened at an eight plex at 1505 Country Club Drive.
One of the units has been completely destroyed while seven others have been damaged.
The American Red Cross is helping the families.
"We are providing support to those affected and we encourage others to take action to minimize the risk of a home fire", stated Tammy Lee, Executive Director of the Greater Northwest Iowa Area of the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross recommends two easy steps to help protect your home and loved ones from a fire: get a smoke alarm and create a fire escape plan.
- Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
- Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including bedrooms.
- Test smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.
- Have a plan in place can help you escape, including at least two ways to escape from every room of your home and a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home.
- Discuss the plan with everyone in the household and practice it at least twice a year.
Red Cross volunteers on the scene were members of the Chapter's Disaster Action Team, a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a local disaster when called upon at any time of the day or night.
For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information visit www.redcross.org/homefires.
To make a financial donation to your local Red Cross to help people affected by house fires and other disasters here in the United States and around the world, people can click, call or text - visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
