(Defiance, Iowa) – Firefighters from six area departments responded to a residential structure fire in Defiance, Tuesday morning. Our sister station KNOD reports the blaze broke out at around 8:30-a.m.  Crews with the Defiance and Irwin Fire Departments were provided mutual aid from the Earling, Harlan, Panama and the Westphalia Fire Departments.

Reports indicate that the furnace in the house did not work and they were using a portable LP heater to heat the house.  When a person tried to light it a fire erupted.

Photos contributed to KNOD by Jason Anastasi and Chris Thurman.

The occupants were able to get out of the house but lost everything in the fire.  Efforts were being made to find them clothing and housing.