(Arnolds Park)– It was a busy weekend for the Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire Department.
Firefighters were called to a grass fire Saturday and a house fire today (Sunday).
Fire Chief Steve Dulin says about 50 acres of grassland just south of Pelican Ridge went up in smoke Saturday when an unattended trash fire got out of hand and spread to the dry grass. The fire, fanned by a stiff north wind, started to quickly spread south. At that point, Dulin says the Milford Fire Department was called for assistance. It took firefighters about an hour and-a-half to douse the blaze. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called to the scene around 11:45 a.m.
Dulin says the house fire took place today (Sunday) at 156 Rohr Street in Arnolds Park.
Firefighters were called to the scene around 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival Dulin says flames and smoke could be seen coming from the rear of the residence. Firefighters quickly knocked the fire down.
Upon investigating, Dulin says they determined the fire was the result of an electrical short that energized metal flashing on the house. Over time, he says it was enough to finally start the house on fire. Dulin says most of the damage was confined to an overhang and a portion of the roof. He says they were able to get it out before it could spread to the attic.
The rental house is owned by Jack Niggeling of Toledo, Iowa. The occupants were home at the time the fire broke out. They got out uninjurred.
The Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire Department was on the scene about an hour and-a-half.
