(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Fire Department was paged-out to a residential structure fire at 1500 Miller Avenue, a little after 11-a.m., Tuesday. Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce says an off-duty firefighter reported the incident. When crews arrived, they found the rear of the house was engulfed in fire and the fire had breached the sliding deck doors, as well as, the kitchen window and had begun to spread into the interior of the structure. Firefighters confirmed no one was home and exterior/interior fire ground operations were conducted.

Fire was brought under control at 11:49 a.m. There were no injuries reported, but three dogs were unable to escape in the home, and died. The Chief says it appears the fire originated under the deck from a heat lamp being used for a chicken coop. The home sustained a significant amount of damage, but no dollar amount was readily available. The home’s residents obtained an alternative source of arrangements, and were working with their insurance carrier.

photo submitted to the media

Red Oak Fire was assisted by fire departments, from Stanton and Elliott, along with the Red Oak Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Communications, MidAmerican Utilities, and the Red Oak Water Department.