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One person unaccounted for after fire in Albia’s town square

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July 15th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One person remains unaccounted for after Monday’s fire in a historic building on Albia’s town square. Albia Fire Chief John Freshwater says crews are still monitoring the smoldering structure, which had three businesses at street level and apartments on the second floor. “We kind of rotated some guys through. We had some guys come back around 3:30, 4,” Freshwater says. “The Edward Jones building over there had some hot spots on it earlier, so we were up on that. Everything is under control, just basically mopping up stuff.”

About two-thirds of historic building in Albia’s town square knocked down to stop today’s fire from spreading. (KIIC photo)

The State Fire Marshal was unable to determine the cause of the fire yesterday (Monday). Freshwater has called the Marshal this (Tuesday) morning to check on the timing of his return to the site. “We’re going to try to get in this back portion and see what we can figure out,” Freshwater said. The fire started in a portion of the building that dates back to 1884.