A downed power line caused a fire at a multi-family home in Paola early yesterday, March 5th. The fire was reported shortly after midnight by a neighbor who said a power line was down on the house, a tree was on fire and sparks were coming from the electrical meter. Weather conditions and the design of the multi-family home made fighting the fire particularly challenging. Lieutenant Chris Courtney of the Paola Fire Department told the Miami County Republic that the fire started in the rear of the structure and spread to the attic, but when firefighters first entered the home, they realized it was split into a handful of apartments and only one of them had access to the attic.
Courtney says it was a wind-driven fire, making an already dangerous situation even more dangerous. Responding firefighters had to deal with driving snow, powerful winds and near zero wind chills. Most of the fire damage was contained to the rear of the house and attic. Courtney said there was considerable water and smoke damage throughout the house.
Ironically, the fire was located across the street from the Paola Fire Station and the occupants were able to stay at the fire station until officials from the American Red Cross arrived to assist them.
