Photos courtesy of Wapello Fire and Rescue social media

Last week was a busy one for Wapello Fire and Rescue, as the department responded to two separate fires in a span of three days.

The first, a structure fire, occurred at approximately 7:26 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. Wapello Fire and Rescue was called to 11682 K Avenue in rural Wapello where a machine shed was fully engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished, however the building and contents were a total loss. There were no injuries, but the total damage is estimated to cost $60,000. The cause of the fire has been considered accidental.

The second fire was called in just before 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12. Several areas of grass on fire were observed along a half-mile stretch of 145th Street in rural Grandview after a high-voltage overhead electric line fell to the ground. Crews including Wapello Fire and Rescue monitored the fire until the power company could cut the electricity. The fires were extinguished soon after with no injuries. The cause was determined to be a raccoon shorting out an electric insulator.

Wapello Fire and Rescue was assisted in the calls by the Grandview Fire Department, Columbus Junction Fire Department, Morning Sun Fire Department, Wapello Community Ambulance, Eastern Iowa Light and Power, and the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.