Paullina, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — Four agencies responded to a smoke alarm in Paullina Friday afternoon (Nov 21)  after unattended cooking filled a West Broadway Street residence with smoke.

The occupant of the second-floor unit was alerted by smoke detectors and was able to evacuate the building before calling for help.

Paullina Fire crews quickly found a smoldering pot on a stove in the downstairs unit. Firefighters removed the pot, which had no visible flames, to extinguish the smoldering outside. A search confirmed the downstairs unit was unoccupied at the time of the incident.

There was no heavy smoke damage to the residence, just a lingering smell of smoke. Crews ventilated the building and ensured it was safe for occupants to re-enter before clearing the scene about 45 minutes after the initial dispatch.

Paullina Ambulance, the Paullina Police Department, and O’Brien County EMA all assisted the Fire Department at the scene. Fire Officer Ryan Harper was the Incident Commander.