(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, Friday, issued a statement with regard to Tuesday’s residential fire at W. 7th and LOCUST Streets. Cappel said the State Fire Marshal and the affected insurance company determined the fire was caused by an over-loaded electrical circuit, and declared accidental. It began at around 3-p.m. Tuesday, in the north third-floor window area.

Cappel said no one was in the apartment at the time. Smoke coming from the roof was observed by a neighbor across the street, who called 9-1-1.  The rental property is owned by Pat McCurdy, was home to eight people in five separate apartments.

Atlantic fire was assisted at the scene by firefighters from Griswold, Lewis, Marne and Anita. The Cass County Fire Association and others brought cold, bottled water to the scene. At one point in the afternoon, fire trucks sounded their horns, warning those inside the home to evacuate due to fears the roof would collapse.