(Sibley)– A shorted out exhaust fan in a bathroom gets the blame for significant smoke and water damage this past Friday at an apartment complex in Sibley.
Fire Chief Ken Huls says crews were called around 6:00 am to the complex near 10th Street and 3rd Avenue and found smoke coming from vents. Prior to firefighters arriving, a tenant discovered it was coming from a shorted out bathroom ceiling exhaust fan and shut off the breaker.
Firefighters were called back later after some smoke reappeared. They tore down some of the bathroom ceiling and found embers in some insulation, which had continued burning without anyone knowing it, and spread into ceiling areas of other apartments. Firefighters spent about two hours on the scene.
Huls says a check later in the day resulted in the discovery of additional smoke and firefighters returned, only to find some smoldering rafters, which were extinguished.
Huls says once it was all said and done, the building sustained an estimated $150,000 to $200,000 in smoke and water damage. He says occupants in three of the six units had to find temporary living arrangements.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
