Smoke Detector Possibly Saves 5 Lives

Oskaloosa Firefighter Scott Howard and Captain Tim Nance clean equipment after an early morning fire Monday

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa Firefighters responded to an early morning fire Monday at 1207 S. Second Street. The property is listed as belonging to Jeff Adams. When the call came in at 4:16 am, there were five people in the residence (2 adults and 3 children) at the time, and they were woken up by the sound of the smoke alarm. “Smoke detector possibly saved 5 lives,” Oskaloosa Fire Captain Dave Christensen stated.

When firefighters arrived, they found the fire was contained to a bathroom, and was advised by the owner he believed he had the fire extinguished.

Firefighters entered the home to heavy smoke and the sound of a smoke alarm going off, with firefighters running a line into the home to help cool and extinguish the fire.

The owner of the residence stated that he had been in the bathroom about 3 am when he discarded a cigarette into the trash. The plastic trash can also possibly contained paper tissue.

Damage to the home is estimated to be nearly $5,000.