(Dickens)– A Dickens family has lost most everything in a house fire that broke out early New Year’s Day.
Dickens Fire Chief Randy Whalin says firefighters were called to 311 First Street in Dickens just after 5:00 a.m. Saturday.
Upon arriving, Whalin says firefighters found a small fire the attic, which they were able to contain.
The renters of the residence, Joe and Hillary Haar, were at home the time the blaze fire broke out. They, along with their two-year-old daughter Madison, got out uninjurred.
Fire crews were on the scene about two hours.
An electrical short is the suspected cause.
Whalin says the entire house sustained considerable smoke and water damage. A dollar amount of damage hasn’t been determined yet.
The Haar family lost most of their belongings in the fire. Clothing donations are being accepted for all three. Joe Haar wears an XL in shirts; a size 34/34 in pants and 16 in shoes. Hillary, who is currently pregnant, is wearing XL in maternity clothes and a nine in shoes. And little Madison wears a size four or five in diapers, a three to five “T” in clothes and a size seven shoe. Donations can be dropped off at 101 West Drive in Dickens or at Hot 100 in Spencer.
A fund has been established at Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank in Spencer for monetary donations. They can be sent in care of “the Haar relief fund” to P.O. Box 7980, Spencer, Iowa…51301.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
