BUSSEY – A house fire in Bussey over the weekend sent multiple people to the hospital and resulted in severe damage to the home.
According to Bussey Fire and Rescue, the fire was reported on Sunday, November 30th, at approximately 4:43pm. Firefighters were dispatched to an address on Elba Avenue in Mahaska County for the report of a residential structure fire with injuries. Initial reports stated that a male was working on a gas line inside the home when the home caught fire.
While en route to the station, mutual aid was immediately requested from Indiana Township Fire Department and Eddyville Fire Department for tankers and manpower. Mahaska Health Partnership was also requested for an ambulance. BFD responded with an engine, a tanker and an ambulance. ITFD responded with an engine, a tanker and a rescue. EFD responded with an engine and a tanker and Mahaska Health Partnership with an ambulance. Crews arrived on scene to find a single story residential structure with smoke showing from all four sides. Crews were also met in the driveway with a burn victim, as well as multiple victims complaining of smoke inhalation. It was confirmed that everyone was out of the home at that time. Bussey Rescue as well as Mahaska Health Partnership transported multiple victims to the hospital.
Crews began an offensive attack inside the structure. It was confirmed at this time to be a basement fire that was being fueled by liquid propane that had ignited prior to FD arrival. All utilities were shut off to the home and additional mutual aid was requested from Oskaloosa Fire for manpower. OFD responded with an engine and a rescue.
While crews were inside attacking the basement fire, the fire progressed through the floor on the first division and extended into the attic. Crews continued to battle the fire for approximately 3 hours. Due to the amount of breathing air consumed during the fire fight, Melcher-Dallas Fire was requested for use of their mobile fill station on their rescue truck to refill SCBA bottles. During overhaul operations there was one FF who sustained a minor, non-life threatening injury.
The fire was contained to one end of the basement as well as one end of the first division of the home. The rest of the home as well as the garage experienced severe smoke and water damage. The scene was secured by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and the cause of the fire is being investigated by the Iowa State Fire Marshall‘s Office.
Assisting agencies included: the Iowa State Patrol, Indiana Township Fire Department, Eddyville Fire Department, Oskaloosa Fire Department, Melcher-Dallas Fire Department, Mahaska Health Partnership, Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office, Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch, Mahaska County Dispatch, Mahaska County Rural Water and Mahaska County Secondary Roads Department.
