(Exira, IA) – A residential structure fire in Audubon County, Monday morning, claimed life of an Exira resident. According to a social media post by the Exira Fire and Rescue Department, Audubon County 911 Communications received a report at around 6:41-a.m., Monday, about a structure fire in an apartment at 405 S. Carthage Street, in Exira. The Exira and Brayton Fire Departments responded to the scene, and found flames contained to a single apartment.

67-year-old Patricia Richter was located inside the apartment, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second occupant from an adjacent apartment was evaluated at the scene and transported by Exira Fire and Rescue to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital, for evaluation/treatment of possible smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no other information is being released at this time.

Agencies assisting at the scene of Monday’s fire include:

• Exira Fire and Rescue
• Brayton Fire Department
• Audubon County Sheriff’s Office
• the State Fire Marshal’s Office
• Audubon County Medical Examiner
• Audubon County 911, and
• MidAmerican Energy.