Mount Ayr Fire Department responds
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by Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — On December 22 the Mount Ayr Fire Department responded to a call of a house fire located at 203 West South Street in Mount Ayr.
The fire emanated from a wood burning stove that was situated in the back yard of the property. The large wood stove was left unattended by the occupant, who was not at home at the time of the blaze. The stove is intended to be a heating source for the property.
These devices are typically intended to be used as a supplemental heat source and not the primary heat. The stove which measured approximately four feet by three feet and is generally stacked with split wood, is capable of burning for hours. A corrugated vent line is then run from the stove to a receiving station before heated air is routed into the house. The line resembles an oversize dryer vent hose.
In this case, the duct work was routed into a plywood box that was assembled just off the back of the home. According to the firefighters on scene, this is not considered a safe way to route the super heated air.
Upon arrival at the home, the fire department noted that while the fire was still considered a hazard, the fire was initially brought under control by a passerby. Apparently someone traveling down South Street observed the fire from the road and pulled over to check it out.
According to the firefighters on scene, the unidentified “Good Samaritan” made his way to the back of the house and used a garden hose that was attached to the house to help bring the fire under control.
When firefighters arrived they observed the lower stack coming off the stove was glowing red with heat. The firefighter indicated that had the unidentified person not acted when he did that the fire likely would have consumed the home and then potentially jump to the neighboring home.
As it was, the fire was largely kept off the main house and ultimately saved the structure. The unidentified Good Samaritan acted selflessly and helped to avert another Christmas tragedy due to fire in the community.
Ongoing efforts are being made to see if the mystery firefighter can be identified.
