(Red Oak, Iowa) – Fire and Emergency Management officials in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following a structure fire, Sunday afternoon. Authorities say that around 2:14pm, the Montgomery County Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting an upstairs apartment fire at 615 N 3rd Street in Red Oak, located just north of the downtown square. The apartment building is owned by Craig and Carmen Archer.

Officers of the Red Oak Police Department arrived on scene immediately and confirmed all occupants were out of the structure prior to Red Oak Fire arriving on scene. Red Oak Fire arrived on scene within 4 minutes of being paged and requested a second alarm structure fire response bringing additional crews from the Stanton Fire Department, Elliott Fire Department and additional aerial support from the Glenwood Fire Department.

Photos courtesy Brian Hamman, Montgomery County Emergency Management.

Fire crews made an immediate and aggressive interior attack of the fire and were able to contain the fire to the origin apartment. Smoke and water damage is throughout the entire structure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist five displaced adults due to the fire. No injuries to any occupants or firefighters on scene however two cats were located deceased and unable to be revived at the scene after attempts were made. The Red Oak Fire Department was assisted by the Red Oak Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Communications, Stanton FD, Elliott FD, Glenwood FD, MidAmerican Energy, American Red Cross and the Iowa State Fire Marshall Office