(***UPDATE***): Two house fires occurred over the Christmas holiday in Le Mars, with both determined to be accidental.
Le Mars Fire-Rescue was called at 8:20pm on Christmas Eve to a home at 618 Plymouth Street SE. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the basement but was able to extinguish the fire quickly. The basement and main floor of the home suffered heavy smoke and soot damage but was able to be saved. No one was home at the time of the fire, but a dog was rescued from inside. The most probable cause of the fire was determined to be lithium batteries that exploded while being charged in a hoverboard. The exploded batteries were found blown across the basement. Damage to the structure is estimated at $95,000.
On Christmas Day, Fire-Rescue was called at 8:47pm to a home at 421 5th Street. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the house but was able to extinguish the fire quickly. Firefighters had to ventilate the home, but only the second floor suffered minor smoke damage. The most probable cause of the fire was determined to be a heat lamp that tipped over into wood chips in a plastic kid’s pool being used for a pet. Damage to the structure is estimated at $1,000.
Le Mars Fire-Rescue would like to remind everyone to charge lithium batteries and devices on a hard, non-combustible surface, and to be careful with any alternative heating devices this winter season.
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(Original story): On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, (Christmas Eve) at 8:20pm the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to a house fire at 618 Plymouth Street S.E. The house is owned and occupied by the Corey and Jamie Spangler family of Le Mars. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the basement of the house. Firefighters attacked the fire with one hose line through the garage into the basement. The fire was extinguished very quickly. Firefighters then had to ventilate the home with a couple of pressure ventilation fans. The basement and main floor of the single-story ranch style home suffered heavy smoke and soot damage throughout. No one was home at the time of the fire. The family came home and found smoke in the house and called 911. Their dog was in the home and was saved. Firefighters used a pet oxygen mask to assist the dog at the scene. Firefighters were on scene for just over an hour and a half putting out the fire, ventilating and investigating. The home is not able to be occupied at this time.
The origin of this fire was determined to be located in the basement family room. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. The most probable cause of the fire was lithium batteries that exploded while being charged in a hoverboard. The exploded batteries were found blown across the basement room. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $95,000. The house is insured.
The Fire-Rescue Department reminds everyone to charge lithium batteries and lithium battery devices on a hard non-combustible surface. Lithium battery issues and the charging of these are causing fires more and more nationwide in hoverboards, bikes, scooters, cell phones, massage machines, and vehicles.
The Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department would like to thank the Le Mars Police who assisted at the scene, and the Bockelmann Family who donated us the pet oxygen mask devices a couple of years ago.
