Additional information about Thursday's house fire

The Decorah Fire Department says Thursday afternoon's fire at 610 West Main Street appears to have started in the basement near a recently used snowblower.

Firefighters were called out to the home of Rick Thornton around 2:00 p.m.  Smoke was seen coming from windows and eaves of the house.  Firefighters entered the home and encountered heavy smoke and extreme heat conditions.  The fire was knocked down initially.  However strong winds hampered extinguishing the fire.  The fire was eventually extinguished.

The Decorah Fire Department was assisted by The Calmar Fire Department, Decorah Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department,  Iowa State Patrol, Winneshiek Ambulance Service, Decorah Water Department and Alliant Energy.  

Although no problems were encountered accessing the fire hydrants, the Decorah Fire Department reminds residents to please dig out any snow covered fire hydrants in their neighborhoods or report them to the Decorah Fire Department at  (563) 382-3472.