(Okoboji)– No injuries were reported in a fire last (Friday) evening that resulted in the evacuation of Arrowood Resort in Okoboji.
Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth says firefighters were called to the scene around 7:16 p.m. after a person walking by a room on the hotel’s southeast side saw flames through a window and called 911.
Upon arrival a few minutes later, firefighters encountered thick smoke in the room. A thermal imaging camera pinpointed the main source of the fire as being in the southeast corner of the room. Firefighters had the blaze under control within about 14 minutes of arriving. They remained on the scene for about another hour ventilating smoke and extinguishing hot spots.
Yungbluth says the cause was isolated to a ground fault interruption electrical outlet on the outside of the building that overheated, starting some styrofoam insulation on fire. The fire burned into the unoccupied room starting some curtains and desk on fire.
Heavy smoke damage was reported to the room with light smoke damage to the hallway on the same floor of the room.
Yungbluth credits Arrowood staff for doing an excellent job evacuating 113 guests and assisting firefighters to find and gain access to the room where the fire was located.
17 firefighters responded to the fire call.
The Lakes Regional Health Care Ambulance stood by on the scene as a precaution, but again, no injuries were reported.
The guests were allowed to return to the rooms in those areas of the complex not affected by smoke or fire.
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