A Sunday evening fire destroyed a house in the city of Wapello.

Fire Chief Damon Moore says firefighters were called to 426 South Main shortly after 7:00 p.m. for flames coming out of almost every window of the house owned by Cobi Miller. Moore says Miller was home asleep at the time and was awakened by the smoke detector alarm before discovering fire in a bedroom, evacuating the home, and calling 911.  In addition to battling the blaze, a Wapello police officer reported there had been several explosions from firearm ammunition in the home.

Moore says there were no injuries and believes the working smoke detector saved Miller’s life.  He says the house and its contents were completely destroyed, but an estimate on damage costs was not immediately available. Twenty-nine firefighters from the Wapello, Morning Sun and Grandview fire departments were on the scene until about 10:45 p.m. Wapello Ambulance, Wapello Police, the Louise County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Wapello Public Works and Alliant Energy also responded.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.

*Photo courtesy Wapello Fire Department