The Cresco Rural Fire Department was called to a house fire at the Mark and Julie Melver residence located at 19253 65th Street at 10:13 a.m. on Saturday.
    Upon arrival, the fire had made significant extension to the eastern portion of the home and had extended to the exterior on the north and east sides as well.  After an initial attack to knock down the exterior flames, firefighters made an interior attack. Firefighters battled  the fire from the inside and brought it under control.
    The department continued to work from the inside as well as the outside to overhaul and extinguish hot spots.
    When the call came into the law center, the callers indicated that everyone was out of the house.
    “This is always the best news you can receive when responding to a residential fire,” said Cresco Fire Chief Neal Staplekamp.
    The home was occupied by Mark and Julie Melver and their three children.
    The fire was discovered by one of the children who then notified the parents that their home was on fire.  There was a brief attempt to put out the fire by the owners before they called the department.
    One daughter received medical attention on scene from the Howard County Ambulance Service, but she did not require any further assistance. The American Red Cross was called in to assist the Melvers. 
    The family lost some pets in the fire.
    The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. 
    The Cresco Rural Fire Department was on the scene until 2:15 p.m. The  department received Mutual Aid Tanker support from the Lime Springs Fire Department and on scene support from the Howard County Ambulance Service.