OTTUMWA — At approximately 5 p.m. Tuesday October 18, 2022 the Ottumwa Police Department responded to 611 S. Adella to perform a welfare check on the elderly male that lives at this address. On arrival the responding officer smelled smoke and noticed the windows were black, the officer then called for the fire department to respond. The fire department arrived on scene at approximately 5:05 p.m. and made entry into the home to find the male occupant of the home deceased.

The fire, which had self-extinguished due to lack of available oxygen, was located in the living room of the home. The cause of the fire was determined to be a propane heater in the living room, which ignited nearby combustibles. The exact time of the fire is unknown.

Two smoke alarms were present, however, there were no batteries in one and the other had a dead battery; therefore both alarms failed to operate. The deceased male was identified as Jerry Lee Blomgren, 79, of this address. The body has been transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner for an autopsy.