(Anita, Iowa) – [In an update to our previous reports]  Anita Fire Chief Eric Steffensen says a residence in Anita was a total loss following a fire Saturday morning. The blaze at 305 Michigan Street was reported at around 8:20-a.m.  Steffensen told KJAN News Sunday morning, that “Upon arrival we had to get some skid loaders and stuff to clear the three-foot of snow out in the driveway. We pulled in there and there was heavy smoke coming out of the attic eaves and the addition eaves. We tried to vent [the home] and [conduct] an interior attack. We couldn’t get on the roof to do anything because of the ice and the wind and everything.”

Chief Steffensen said with the wind and cold temperatures, “Things were freezing-up. We tried to spray water on the fire and it [was] just making ice on everything real thick, like an inch or two thick, real fast.” Fortunately, even with ice everywhere, none of the firefighters were hurt. The homeowner got out safely. “Because of the weather and that,” Steffensen said “We could not get the fire put out,” which resulted in the home being a total loss. He was the only occupant of the home.

Photo courtesy Kennon, Cass County EMA.

Steffensen confirmed Highway 148 coming into Anita was blocked for a time. He said if the fire had been out in the country instead of in-town, he doubts they would have been able to make it to the scene due to the snow drifts. “Even an ambulance ..if we gotta get into the country, it’s gonna take a while.”

The Chief said “We’d like to thank Atlantic, Wiota and Adair Fire, and Cass County EMA for coming over and assisting” with the incident. He said it’s his understanding the Red Cross was going to help the resident with shelter, as much as possible, and it’s likely someone will get an account set up for the gentleman.

Steffensen said he wanted to thank also, “People of Anita or wherever they may possibly be from, they were bringing us coffee and doughnuts and cookies and water. We really appreciate all that. We got some soup and stuff to keep warm. [As] It was just miserable out.”

Chief Steffensen said the cause of the fire “Is undetermined at this time.”