(Estherville)– An apartment house in downtown Estherville was destroyed by fire Tuesday.
Estherville Fire Chief Randy Cody says firefighters were called to 1718 Central Avenue around 1:00 p.m.
Departments from Gruver and Wallingford were called for assistance.
Cody believes the blaze started in the rear of an apartment on the main floor. The cause is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall.
Cody says a couple of people in the building at the time of the blaze managed to get out unharmed.
The building housed five apartments and was commonly referred to by Iowa Lakes Community College students as “the blue mansion”.
Cody says firefighters managed to keep the blaze from spreading to neighboring buildings, including the former headquarters of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.
