(Paullina)– An early morning house fire in Paullina pretty much destroyed a house and its contents and sent one person to the hospital.
The Paullina Fire Department was called shortly after 1:00 a.m. this (Wed.) morning to the Robert Rus residence at 207 South Main Street in Paullina.
Upon arriving firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear east side of the house, with the fire venting out the second story rear porch area.
Assistance from the Primghar and Granville Fire Departments was called, along with an aerial truck from the Sheldon Fire Department. Firefighters slowed the blaze with the aerial truck and then made an interior attack on the second floor of the home to finish extinguishing the blaze.
A female occupant of the house who’s name wasn’t released was taken by ambulance to a Sioux City hospital with smoke inhalation; no other injuries were reported. The family’s dog was rescued by firefighters.
The house and most of its contents are considered a total loss, with the dollar amount of the loss estimated at nearly 200-thousand dollars.
An investigation by the State Fire Marshal determined the fire was likely the result of an electrical problem in some wiring in a wall cavity below the upper second story rear porch area.
Officials say there were smoke detectors in the home that were activated.
