(Spirit Lake)– An explosion and fire damaged a Spirit Lake house Wednesday evening.
The Spirit Lake Fire Department was called to the Karen Arnold residence at 1111 Hill Avenue shortly before 6:30. Authorities say there was an explosion in a room in the basement. Arnold opened the basement door, saw flames, and called 9-1-1. She and a dog got out of the house uninjured.
Assistant Fire Chief Joe Jennings says a pop-off valve on an L-P tank activated…fueling the fire. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and removed the tank. What exactly activated the valve and/or started the fire is under investigation. The State Fire Marshall has been contacted.
Extensive fire and smoke damage was reported to the basement with minor smoke damage to the rest of the house.
Three cats that were in the house were removed unharmed by firefighters.
The Spirit Lake Fire Department was at the scene a couple of hours.
