Council Bluffs Fire Department officials, Wednesday, released more information about a residential fire Tuesday morning that resulted in one person being sent to the hospital. According to the Daily NonPareil, 31-year old Drema Lewis, a transient, suffered injuries from the fire and by a saw used by firefighters to gain access to the home. Council Bluffs Rescue transported Lewis to CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center, where she’s expected to fully recover.
Fire Marshal Larry Wohlers said when firefighters arrived on the scene, they cut through the front door to access the house. Crews didn’t know Lewis was inside – let alone against the door – and she was injured when they cut through the door with a saw.
A preliminary investigation into the incident that caused substantial damage to the house at 327 Ninth Avenue determined transient activity was consistent with the cause. The house had to be torn down by demolition after the fire, as the structure was deemed unsafe by the city building division.