Fire Damages Oskaloosa Business
Oskaloosa Fire’s Tower 6 provides needed light for firefighters as they battled a fire at Clabaugh Enterprises on Friday night. (photo by Ginger Allsup/Oskaloosa News)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The 911 call came in that there was a lot of black smoke in the area of South 7th Street, and 10th Avenue East, at approximately 8:15 pm.
First responders arrived at Clabaugh Enterprises to find a substantial amount smoke exiting the structure. All firefighters were then paged out, and the new aerial apparatus was brought into service.
New Sharon and Fremont fire departments were also called in to provide mutual aid.
Oskaloosa Fire Chief Mark Neff spoke with Oskaloosa News just after crews got the fire under control.
Neff said that some vehicles inside the building were on fire. “It’s still an active investigation as to how the fire started.”
Neff said there doesn’t appear to be a lot of structural damage, but there was considerable smoke inside the building.
“It’s warm enough tonight that we have enough firefighters on scene we don’t have to work anybody to death,” said Neff, who estimated that 40 firefighters were on scene.
The fire was the first time the department utilized their new aerial apparatus. The ladder was extended to provide needed lighting to firefighters on the far corners of the structure.
Also making its debut was the rehab trailer provided by CERT or Community Emergency Response Team.
CERT is a nonprofit organization that is staffed by volunteers who want to help serve their communities.
The CERT team raised funds through some local businesses, including grants. One of those grants came from Pella Corporation, to the tune of $25,000, which was used to help stock the trailer with the needed supplies used to help firefighters or other emergency personnel recover from heat stress during the summer months, or provide warmth during winter. The Golden Goose Club was instrumental in getting the ball rolling financially for the trailer.
The trailer and its supplies are so new, much of it was in boxes. CERT members prepared the cooling chairs, misting fans, and had air conditioning available to heat fatigued first responders.
Mahaska County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson said the rehab trailer is important to firefighters who are drenched in sweat and need the opportunity to cool off and hydrate so they can operate safely.
You can find out more about volunteering for CERT by following the link listed here – https://www.mahaskaready.com/cert.html
