Cherokee, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Improperly discarded fireworks are being blamed for a New Year’s Day fire in Cherokee. Chief Casey Carpenter says a passersby noticed smoke at 730 West Cherry Street shortly after midnight, and the first crew arrived 8 minutes later.
Nobody was home. Two dogs and two cats were safely removed. The fire was contained to one side of the single-family home. There was smoke damage to the entire structure.
The fire department was on the scene for about three hours. Cherokee Police, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, Cherokee Regional Medical Center Ambulance Crew, and Cherokee County Emergency Management also responded.
Carpenter says the Thursday fire was a good example of why keeping interior doors closed is important, as closed doors between the kitchen and rest of the living quarters limited the spread of flames, heat, and smoke.
The Cherokee County Assessor’s office lists the owner of 730 West Cherry Street as Bailey Wilkie.
