Stove starts house fire Saturday

A fire Saturday afternoon resulted in the Green River Fire Department sending two trucks and 28 firefighters to combat the blaze.

According to a media release from the city, firefighters were dispatched to 1210 Midwest Drive after a fire broke out from a wood-burning stove placed in the residence’s garage. According to Larry Erdmann, assistant fire chief, the fire appeared to have started while two people in the home were busy winterizing it. Erdmann said the stove was never used and wasn’t properly installed. The house fire started at the stove pipe, where it went through the side of the home.

Erdmann said two neighbors noticed the fire and contacted emergency responders. They then attempted to fight the fire with a garden hose, an act Erdmann attributed to slowing the fire’s spread and saving the home until firefighters arrived.

When fire crews arrived, the fire was completely extinguished at the source. Firefighters checked for extensions of the fire and discovered hot sports in the floor, between the garage and main level. The fire department was on the scene for about two hours.

According to Erdmann, no one was living in the split-entry home and there were no injuries resulting from the fire. A subsequent investigation by firefighters and police officers revealed the fire was accidental and unintentional in nature. A damage estimate was not available.