Gas Leaks, Fires at NE Iowa Homes

The Oelwein Fire Department was kept busy Monday with fires and gas leaks.

Early Monday, fire crews were called to 137 3rd Avenue SE, the LaVern Warthan residence, for a gas leak in the basement. Fire was started by a match. Warthan's grandson sustained minor injuries.

Later in the morning, fire crews were summoned to the Gerald Gage home at 120 6th Avenue SE, when a candle came too close to flammable material in the basement. No one was injured, but there was extensive damage.

Firefighters were also called out at about 7pm Monday, to the area of 3rd Avenue SE and Occo Drive. A natural gas leak occurred in an unoccupied mobile home. A neighboring trailer occupant apparently smelled the gas and called the Oelwein Fire Department. The fire crew carefully opened the trailer and used their explosion-proof fan to air out the gas. Alliant energy was called in to turn off the gas and electricity.

According to Fire Chief Wallace Rundle, the situation could have been very serious, if the gas ignited and caused an explosion, not only to that trailer, but to many more located in the trailer park.

-0-