House fire New Year’s Day in NW Iowa
January 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson
CHEROKEE, Iowa (KTIV) – Fire officials in the northwest Iowa town of Cherokee say no injuries were reported following a fire in a home early this (Thursday) morning (Jan. 1st). According to KTIV in Sioux City, the fire broke out around 1-a.m. None of the residents were inside the residence at the time a passerby reported the incident,
When personnel with the Cherokee Fire Department arrived on the scene, they found two dogs and safely evacuated them from the home. A secondary search resulted in the rescue of two cats.
The house required an extensive overhaul in the area of ignition. Fire officials say improperly disposed fireworks appeared to have been the cause of the fire.
On the Department’s Facebook page, officials said, “This incident clearly demonstrates the importance of keeping doors closed whenever possible during a fire. The closed door between the kitchen and the rest of the home significantly limited the spread of fire, heat, and smoke, reducing overall damage to the structure and helping protect adjacent living spaces.
A closed door can slow fire growth, improve survivability, and provide firefighters with valuable time to make entry and control the incident. Simple actions—such as closing doors—can have a major impact during an emergency.”
A closed door can slow fire growth, improve survivability, and provide firefighters with valuable time to make entry and control the incident. Simple actions—such as closing doors—can have a major impact during an emergency.”
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