(Arnolds Park)– The cause of a fire last week in Arnolds Park that pretty much destroyed one house and heavily damaged two others has been ruled as accidental.
Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth says upon reviewing available information and interviews, it was determined the fire was the result of a nearby brush and debris fire that had spread to the nearby homes. Yungbluth says the initial report of an explosion in a garage at the scene was believed to have been the result of consumer fireworks being stored in the structure.
As we reported previously, the Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire Department was initially called to 39 Allen Avenue. A structure at 57 Allen Avenue was fully engulfed when they arrived and a structure to the north was also on fire, along with a garage attached to the structure to the south. The Milford Fire Department was also called for mutual aid.
We also have since learned the person who was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation was a bystander. That person refused transport to the hospital and was released on the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Firefighters remained on the scene several hours monitoring hot spots after the initial fires were put out.
