Cresco Fire Department called to Evans Memorial Home Assisted Living on Sept. 4

CRESCO - The Cresco Fire Department was paged to the Evans Memorial Home Assisted Living Facility at 1010 North Elm Street in Cresco at 10:18 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4 because of a report of smoke and fire located in the roof area. Fortunately, there were no injuries to residents or emergency personnel.

When the fire department arrived, heavy smoke was coming from the roof and attic on the southern part of the building. All residents were immediately evacuated. Fire department personnel entered the third floor where they encountered a significant amount of fire in the attic. A substantial amount of blow insulation was removed from the attic area to ensure the fire would not spread. As a result of the fire, there was heavy damage to the attic rafters and trusses. All 28 residents of the Assisted Living Facility have been displaced as of Sept. 5. Many residents were transported by a school bus to another facility in New Hampton, and other residents were picked up by family members.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation with a suspected cause to be lightning because of the thunderstorm on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The Cresco Fire Department was assisted by the Protivin, Ridgeway, Lime Springs and Decorah Fire Departments as well as the Cresco Police Department, Regional Health Ambulance, Howard County Emergency Management, Howard County Dispatchers and the Howard Winneshiek School Transportation Department.