On Tuesday May 19, 2026, at 4:09am the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to a house fire at 629 Greenwood Ave. in Le Mars. The house is owned and occupied by Scott Bricker of Le Mars. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire coming from the front picture window and out the roof of the single-story ranch structure. Firefighters attacked the fire with one hose line through the front window and front door. The quint aerial ladder was also used to suppress the fire coming through the roof with a master stream. A second hose line was pulled to the back of the house and after slowing the fire, firefighters made entry in the front and back of the home. The interior crews were met with heavy smoke and fire in the main front living room of the home that had spread to the back of the home and through the attic space. The fire did burn a hole in the front room floor dropping some fire into the basement which was also extinguished. Firefighters then had to ventilate the home with a pressure ventilation fan. The owner was home at the time of the fire and awoke to smoke and heat. He was able to escape out of the back rear side of the home and call 911. Houses on both sides of the fire building were evacuated by Police Offices. Firefighters were on scene for over two and a half hours putting out the fire, ventilating and investigating. The home is not able to be occupied at this time due to the damage. The Orange City Fire Department was called to the scene to assist with this fire with manpower. Le Mars EMS members provided rehab to the firefighters at the scene.
The origin of this fire was determined to be located in the front room of the home and then spread into the attic and back through the kitchen of the home. The cause of the fire was determined to be ACCIDENTAL. The most probable cause of the fire was an electrical equipment malfunction with a thin extension cord that was operating two space heaters off of a tri-plex electrical adapter plugged into the extension cord. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $350,000.00.
The Fire-Rescue Department reminds everyone to be especially careful when using alternate heating sources. Extension cords should be only used on a temporary basis and not in place of permanent wiring.
The Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department would like to thank the Orange City Fire Department,
Le Mars Police and MidAmerican Energy who assisted at the fire scene.
