Suspected gas explosion triggers house fire in Ottumwa

A weekend house fire in southeast Iowa is under investigation. Just before 7 a.m. Sunday, Ottumwa Fire Department crews responded to a report of a gas explosion at 19 Asbury Circle. When firefighters arrived, they found a one story house with heavy fire coming from a side and rear of the structure. The front deck was blown off the house, and the windows had been blown out. The gas meter also had a gas-fed fire coming from it. Extra crews were called in, and surrounding homes were checked for the presence of gas, but no levels were found. While fighting the fire, crews noticed gas bubbling through the asphalt driveway. MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy were called to the scene. MidAmerican crews spent most of the day locating the source of the leak while fire crews continued to check the neighborhood for leaks.
KTVO-TV ABC/CBS 3 Kirksville

Two dogs injured in Linn County fire

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says two dogs were hurt during a fire late Monday night in rural Prairieburg. The sheriff’s office says crews were called to the fire in the 5200-block of Boulder View Road at 11:22 p.m. At the scene, crews found a detached workshop in flames. The workshop and everything inside were a total loss. The cause of the fire is under invesitgation. Linn County deputies, Prairieburg Fire, Monticello Fire, Coggon Fire, 3rd Fire District and Anamosa Ambulance each responded to the fire.
KCRG-TV ABC 9 Cedar Rapids

Skid Loader Likely Destroyed In Fire Near Harris

A skid loader was likely totaled in a fire on Monday, April 29, 2024, near Harris. According to Harris Firefighter Greg Vellema, at about 11:00 a.m., the Harris Fire Department was called to the report of a skid loader fire at 1727 White Avenue, a little more than three miles south of the west side of Harris. Firefighter Vellema says the fire department saw the Case skid loader with flames coming from the engine bay as they approached the scene. He says they used water to fight the fire. Vellema says no injuries were reported. The fire department was assisted by the Ocheyedan Fire Department. He says the cause of the fire is undetermined, but Vellema says it started in the engine bay. He says they were glad they got there when they did as the skid loader was near a hay storage shed, so the fire could have been much worse.
KIWA-FM 105.3 Sheldon

At least 17 tornadoes confirmed in Iowa from Friday’s outbreak

PHOTO: Over a dozen tornadoes occurred in the state of Iowa on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Severe storms moved through Nebraska into western and central Iowa on April 26th, producing some large, long-track tornadoes. The NWS in Des Moines says preliminary reports and completed storm surveys show at least 17 tornadoes occurred in Iowa. National Weather Service offices in Des Moines and Omaha are continuing to survey the damage. The Omaha office is still working on surveying extensive damage in southwest Iowa in the town of Minden. The NWS says a final tornado count may take a few weeks as they examine radar/satellite data along with videos and pictures.
KGAN-TV CBS/FOX 2 Cedar Rapids

Pleasant Hill residents describe tornado experiences and rally together despite destruction

VIDEO: Many Pleasant Hill residents woke up on Saturday morning to debris, fallen trees, and lowered power lines after a tornado ripped through the western part of the city Friday night. Several residents said Friday night’s severe weather was unlike anything they’ve experienced before. “From the sound to the sight, it doesn’t compare,” said Pleasant Hill resident Danielle Norelies. They described hurrying to their basements or to shelters after seeing the sky turn an electric green color and later hearing what sounded like a freight train. “It was really loud, like really loud. And just sometimes I was just anxious,” said Makayla Hilsenbeck. Barron Geiger has lived in Pleasant Hill for four years. Eight of the trees on his property toppled over because of the tornado.
WHO-TV NBC 13 Des Moines

Related: Volunteers across the country help with storm cleanup efforts in Iowa

VIDEO: Whenever a natural disaster hits, Gideon Rescue Company packs up and hits the road to help where it can. Now, the group is in Iowa, helping to clean up after storms ripped through the state Friday night. "Actually, we were on our way to Omaha, we were coming down from Michigan and we were going to go through Omaha, but the tornado kept coming this way and by the time we got to Des Moines, it hit Des Moines," said Dylan McWilliams, a rescue technician with Gideon Rescue Company. Members of the nonprofit go across the world to help out following tornadoes, hurricanes and even the war in Ukraine. "It's really amazing to like, when we show up to help somebody, pretty soon their neighbors are out there helping them too and it's just an endless chain," Dylan said.
WOI-TV ABC 5 Ames