(Estherville)– A house in Estherville has been destroyed by fire.
The Estherville Fire Department was called to 407 9th Street around 9:00 p.m. Sunday and found smoke and heavy flames coming from the structure.
No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.
The house is owned by Idela Ortlieb of Arizona. Robert Breiner was living in the dwelling and told authorities he had left home before Noon Sunday morning.
Fire Chief Dave Knox says the blaze appears to have started in the southeast part of the basement and burned unnoticed through the floors…up into the walls of the attic. Knox says the smoke was eventually noticed by a neighbor who called 9-1-1.
The cause is under investigation.
The Estherville Fire Department was at the scene more than four hours.
