by Amanda Rink, Editor
In just a few days, the Clarion Fire Department faced two devastating house fires. The fires tested their skill and teamwork. Amid freezing temperatures and obvious dangerous conditions, these firefighters didn’t just extinguish flames, they protected lives, rescued pets, and salvaged cherished mementos.
Early Morning Trailer Fire
It was a calm, quiet night on January 10 when the report of a house fire came in to dispatch at 3:30. As firefighters made their way to the scene, the smell of smoke was heavy in the air. By the time firefighters arrived, the trailer was fully engulfed.
Hector Nino who is a Spanish-speaking police officer was the first to arrive. “The young man did an exceptional job responding to the call and being sure everyone was out of the house before the Fire Department arrived on scene,” Assistant Police Chief Thompson shared with The Wright County Monitor.
Firefighter Gene Rosenbaum considered the immediate concern when he arrived: “The page notified us that everyone was out, which is always our first concern. On scene, it was obvious the heat was affecting neighboring homes, so the first priority was to protect them from fire spread.”
The team worked for five hours, tearing through the trailer’s siding to access stubborn hot spots and prevent further damage to nearby properties. Tragically, the home was lost but thankfully only one injury was reported.
Mobile homes present certain challenges, as Firefighter Tim Hamilton explained to the Wright County Monitor: “The steel siding and typically lighter-weight construction make it very dangerous for us to make entry for fire suppression, especially when fully engulfed.”
In the aftermath of the fire, the community, led by local nonprofit Gift of Giving, stepped forward to support the family. A special fund was set up at First State Bank in Clarion to help the family.
Gift of Giving released a heartfelt statement for the Spanish-speaking family: “Your thoughtfulness and care mean the world to this family as they work to rebuild their lives. Together we are making a difference.”
A Heroic Rescue in the Northeast
Just three days later, another call came in in the northeast part of town. When firefighters arrived, the east end of the home was ablaze.
“My initial thoughts started four blocks away, seeing the heavy smoke. We were told occupants were out, I was hoping that was the case,” shared Fire Chief Pat McCormick.
Thankfully, the residents had already escaped, but they were devastated knowing their two dogs, Honeybee and Leo, were still inside. First responders, Police Chief Steve Terhark and Assistant Police Chief Bret Thompson wasted no time.
“Steve and Bret were there before I could even get out of the backyard,” Mikayla Walker shared of the distressing event. “Bret has been the first to respond to two traumatic 911 calls from our household within the last month. He was incredible both instances and didn’t hesitate to go up to the house to try to get our dogs out.”
“I saw two eyes at the bottom of the basement steps and knew I had to try to save him,” shared Officer Thompson. While Thompson was unable to get the terrified dog to follow him outside of the house, he knew for his conscience that he had to “try to save a dog”. Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
Once the firefighters came onto the scene, Firefighter Rosenbaum said the dogs’ safety became their immediate priority. Battling smoke and flames, they located and rescued both pets, who survived with only minor injuries.
For Mikayla and Austin Walker, this act of bravery meant everything. The compassion didn’t end there though. The firefighters managed to salvage family photos, Austin’s military uniforms, and other sentimental items. The Walkers were overwhelmed by the kindness shown to them. “The fact that they did this while still literally fighting the fire speaks absolute volumes to the character and hearts of those serving on our local fire department,” Mikayla shared.
While the fires presented immediate dangers, the harsh winter conditions added an extra layer of difficulty for responders.
The Challenges of Winter Fires
Fighting fires in extreme temperatures is grueling work. Freezing temperatures can create icy hazards for firefighters and cause equipment to malfunction. “The frigid cold was freezing our air packs and creating icy patches on the ground,” Rosenbaum said.
Through both of the events, teamwork kept the operation running smoothly. McCormick shared how vital coordination is in these emergency moments. “It makes my job as the chief so much easier when everyone works together for the common goal,” he said.
Later in the day, the team was called back to the Walker house, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Marker said, “We pulled more ceiling down to see [if the heat detected was a fire] and found two rafters started back up.”
Whether it’s firefighters swapping out teams during a response, dispatch taking the first call, police officers blocking traffic, or paramedics ensuring responders and victims stay safe, every role is crucial.
Community and Fire Safety
Clarion’s firefighters are grateful for the support from their community. Chief McCormick noted that residents show up year after year to pancake breakfasts and fundraisers, even going out of their way to donate if they can’t attend fundraising events.
Looking ahead, Firefighter Rosenbaum hopes the community and city can rally around a goal: “Our next goal is a new fire station. Expressing support for that project to city leaders would be very helpful. We have run out of space as the existing station is over 70 years old and was built for much smaller fire apparatus.”
Chief McCormick and Hamilton stressed the importance of fire prevention. Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of a home can save lives. “A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries when you change your clocks,” McCormick advised, “I think it is wise to have an evacuation or even an after-incident plan, should something happen.”
These two fires left behind heartbreak but also revealed something remarkable: the resilience of small-town Iowa communities, standing together in times of crisis. It showed the emergency responder’s remarkable ability to go above and beyond. From rescuing beloved pets to recovering treasured memories, the volunteers who responded to the last two house fires in Clarion brought hope when needed the most.
As Mikayla and Austin put it, “We have so many unknowns about the upcoming weeks and months, but as we begin the process of rebuilding our lives, we feel grateful and lucky to be doing so here, in the embrace of this community.”
If you’re interested in helping either family, please reach out to Gift of Giving or The Clarion Development Alliance.
