by Marianne Gasaway
Members of the Clear Lake Fire Department assisted in a blaze which destroyed the historic Kirk Apartments in downtown Mason City Monday, April 24.
Mason City firefighters were called to the building at 206 N. Federal at about 1:30 p.m. Monday. A fire in a first-floor apartment was determined to be under control about an hour later. However, smoke and flames started to erupt from the building once again at about 5 p.m.
The Clear Lake Fire Department was dispatched to the Mason City Fire Department at 3:20 p.m. and then were reassigned to the fire ground at 4 p.m. They stayed on scene until about 8:50 p.m.
“We initially supplied one engine company with six firefighers, then asked for an additional six firefighters at 5:50 p.m.,” said CLFD Chief Doug Meyers. “Initially on scene we were assigned overhaul duties working inside the building, but as fire conditions worsened we supported MCFD staff with deploying ground monitors and defensive firefighting duties.”
Mason City fire crews remained at the site all night and Tuesday morning in expectation of a collapse.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Kirk Apartments opened in 1903 as a luxury apartment building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The property was owned by Ed Kent.
Donations needed
The Salvation Army, located at 747 Village Green Drive, Mason City, is serving as command center for helping the approximate 40 victims of the Kirk Apartments fire. Donations of clothing, personal health items and money may be made to the Salvation Army.
