(Spirit Lake)– We may never know for sure the cause of a fire that gutted a house Sunday night northeast of Spirit Lake.
Firefighters were called to 1131 280th Avenue shortly after 6:00 p.m.
They mounted an interior attack but had to back out after finding a hole that had burned through the floor. They then made entry through the garage and put out the fire.
Severe damage was reported.
The owner wasn’t home at the time. He discovered the blaze as he was pulling into his driveway and called 911.
David Schipper of the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the cause of the fire has been ruled undetermined. He says it’s believed the fire started in the living room. But Schipper says concerns over structural integrity will prevent any further investigation. He says the living room floor and the roof could collapse at any time.
Schipper says nothing has been found to show the fire had any suspicious circumstances.
He says the house is considered a total loss, with damages that could reach as high as 230-thousand dollars.
No injuries were reported.
The Superior and Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Departments, Lakes Regional Healthcare paramedics and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Spirit Lake Fire Department while battling the blaze.
