An electric space heater is “highly suspected” as the cause of a house fire Tuesday night, in Atlantic. Firefighters were called to 1308 Birch at around 7:44-p.m. Fire Chief Mark McNees told KJAN when they arrived, flames were shooting out of a window. Crews got a quick knock-down from the outside before entry was made into the rental home. For a time, it was unclear whether the persons who lived there – Dean Barber and his adult son – were home or not, but McNees said they learned the two were on the way to eastern Iowa where they planned to have Thanksgiving with Barber’s daughter. The pair were planning on returning to Atlantic sometime today.

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McNees said one of two electric space heaters is the likely cause of the blaze, which caused substantial damage to the inside of the home. The State Fire Marshal’s Office will be contacted to get a second opinion on which of the devices are to blame. One of the heaters, McNees said, was near a couch. The contents of the home were a substantial loss, but McNees said Barber has rental insurance. The Red Cross will be contacted today to offer assistance as needed.

Crews were on the scene until about 10-p.m. Atlantic Fire and Rescue was assisted at the scene by Atlantic Police, Medivac Ambulance, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, Atlantic Municipal Utilities, ce and the Cass County Emergency Management Agency.