Firefighters from Anita and Wiota were called to the scene of a house fire this (Thursday) afternoon, on the east side of Wiota. The call about flames and smoke visible from the roof at 69424 White Pole Road, came in at around 3-p.m. Anita Fire Chief Josh Peach told KJAN News when they arrived there was just smoke visible from a wood stove chimney that caught an external decorative rooftop box on fire. The flames had been extinguished before the bulk of the firefighters arrived.

Peach said the fire never entered the house, and there was minimal structural damage from the water and firefighting efforts. The home’s owners…Jim and Kathie Mailander…were outside and safe when crews arrived. Firefighters were quick to get the situation under control. Peach said they remained on the scene for about one-half hour.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Manager Mike Kennon were also at the scene for the event.