Press Release
April 12, 2023
At 9:38 AM Wednesday April 12, 2023 the Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to a reported house fire at 1304 Oak Street in Burlington. Firefighters arrived at 9:42 AM to find flame and smoke showing from the second floor 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 a second-floor bedroom in the front of the house. Firefighters contained the fire to this bedroom and the attic space directly above. The fire was declared fully extinguished by 10:42 AM. The house is owned by Lela & Vickey Osborn and occupied by Wayne Fordham. The Red Cross has been called for victim assistance. Damage estimates are still being assessed, but the house is likely a total loss. The house sustained significant heat and water damage, with smoke damage throughout. Nobody was at home at the time of the fire. There were no working smoke detectors. There is no insurance on the property.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and is not considered suspicious.
Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Burlington Police, Burlington Waterworks, and Alliant Energy. There were no injuries. Firefighters cleared the scene at 12:16 PM.
Mark Crooks
Fire Marshal