Press Release
March 20, 2023
Burlington Fire Department responds to structure fires over weekend
At 5:34 PM Saturday March 18, 2023 Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to 412 S. Marshall Street in Burlington for a reported house fire. Firefighters arrived at 5:38 PM to find heavy smoke coming from the back of the two-story house. A box alarm was struck calling in off duty Burlington firefighters, as well as bringing Danville and Mediapolis firefighters closer to Burlington.
Firefighters located and extinguished a fire in the kitchen. The surrounding rooms suffered heat and water damage, with smoke damage throughout the house. The house is owned and occupied by John Harris and is insured. Damage is estimated at $70,000 to the house and contents. There were no working smoke detectors. The Red Cross has been called for victim assistance.
The cause of the fire is considered accidental and was due to combustible items stored too close to the stove top. It is believed that a pet jumped onto the stove and inadvertently turned on a burner.
Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Burlington Police, Alliant Energy, and Burlington Waterworks. Firefighters cleared the scene at 8:22 PM. There were no firefighter injuries.
At 1:53 AM Sunday March 19, 2023 Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to a report of a structure fire at the Lincolnville Motel, 1605 Mt. Pleasant Street in Burlington. Firefighters arrived at 1:58 AM to find flames and smoke showing from a room on the east side. Police officers were in the process of evacuating occupants from other nearby rooms. A box alarm was struck calling in off duty Burlington firefighters, as well as having Danville and Mediapolis firefighters closer to Burlington.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire damage to one motel room and the attic area directly above, but other rooms sustained smoke and water damage. The property is owned by Dilip Gandhi and is insured.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is not suspicious.
Firefighters were assisted at the scene by officers from Burlington Police and Des Moines County Sheriff, as well as Alliant Energy. One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was treated at the scene. Firefighters cleared the scene at 3:43 AM.
At 7:03 PM Sunday March 19, 2023 the Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to a reported structure fire at 727 Wightman Street in Burlington. Burlington Police officers arrived first and assisted with locating and evacuating the occupant. Firefighters arrived at 7:08 PM to find a single-family home and travel trailer fully engulfed in flames. A box alarm was struck calling in off duty Burlington firefighters, as well as bringing Danville and Mediapolis firefighters closer to Burlington. Firefighters had the fire extinguished by 8:24 PM.
The property is owned and occupied by Joseph Zipp and is insured. Damage estimates are still being assessed, but both the travel trailer and house are a total loss. The Red Cross was called for victim assistance. One pet escaped the house and was later recovered without injury. The fire damaged one automobile, as well as the house at 723 Wightman Street sustained heat damage to two windows.
The cause of the fire was due to open burning outside the residence. The fire spread to the travel trailer and then to the house. Mr. Zipp was issued a citation for violating the city’s open burning ordinance.
Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Burlington Police, Superior Ambulance, Alliant Energy, and Burlington Waterworks. There were no injuries. Firefighters cleared the scene at 9:55 PM.
Mark Crooks
Fire Marshal