(Creston, IA) – The Creston Fire Department responded to two fires on Sunday, January 25th. According to a post on the department’s social media page, the first incident occurred at 2:34 a.m. when the Osceola Fire Department requested mutual aid for a structure fire at 116 ½ E Webster in Osceola.  (Photo credits go to Chuck Spindler & Chris Reindel w/the CFD)

Creston’s Ladder 1, with a crew of four, arrived at 3:22 a.m. and assisted in battling the fire, which caused significant damage to The Broken Spoke Bar and Alley Bowl. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Creston firefighters cleared the scene at 5:31 a.m. and returned to the station by 6:06 a.m.

The second fire was reported at 9:34 a.m. in the 200 block of N. Maple St., where residents detected smoke odors in a second-floor apartment. Firefighters arrived at 9:36 a.m. and discovered a fire in the ceiling. The situation was escalated to a working fire, and additional units were requested.

After pulling down the ceiling, firefighters found flames in the true 2×6 flat roof trusses and quickly extinguished them with a water can by 9:47 a.m. They also removed smoldering insulation from two rooms. Additional personnel arrived to assist with the overhaul, which involved removing debris. After clearing the insulation from the building, firefighters applied more water to the smoldering debris to ensure it was completely extinguished. The CFD cleared the scene and were back at the station by 12:28 p.m.

The fire was believed to have started from an electrical short-circuit.