(Arnolds Park)– A short circuit in an outdoor air conditioner unit early this (Mon.) morning resulted in the evacuation of a residence in Arnolds Park.
Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth says firefighters were called to 88 East Broadway Street in Arnolds Park around 12:01 a.m. after getting a report of smoke in the basement, which activated a smoke alarm.
Five people were in the residence at the time, which is a group home for Hope Haven. They were all able to get out safely.
Upon investigating, Yungbluth says it was determined the outdoor air conditioning unit had been struck by a tree, causing an electrical short which melted the insulation on a wire running into the house, causing the smoke in the basement.
Firefighters spent about an hour on the scene evacuating smoke from the basement and assisting staff to get personal belongings out of the home.
Damage to the air conditioning unit and the home was estimated at $2,000 to $3,000.
No injuries were reported.
Yungbluth says the lives of the five people in the home were saved as a result of the smoke detector.
