By Beacon Staff
Eight people (including six children) escaped a Burlington apartment fire without injury early Friday morning (Jan. 21).
Burlington firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 116 N. Marshall St. at 2:28 a.m., with the thermometer reading minus seven degrees.
Four minutes later, firefighters arrived and found flames and smoke coming from the two-unit apartment house on Marshall Street. The occupants of one of the apartments – Jessica Beeler, Annabele Cable and six children – were exiting the house as firefighters arrived. Police officers kept the occupants warm inside their patrol vehicles until other arrangements could be made.
The other apartment in the house was not occupied.
The two-unit apartment house, owned by Charles McCabe, sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage; the structure is not insured. Damage estimates are still being assessed. There is no renter’s insurance, and the American Red Cross was contacted for victim assistance.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and is not considered suspicious at this time.
Eleven Burlington firefighters responded to the fire, and they were assisted by firefighters from West Burlington, Danville, and Mediapolis responding on mutual aid. Burlington Police, Alliant Energy, and Superior Ambulance also assisted at the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene until 6:25 a.m.