Fire officials in northwest Iowa say an electric space heater is the suspected cause of an overnight apartment fire that left six people displaced.
Armstrong Assistant Fire Chief Wes Leach says crews were called to the building around 12:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they found thick smoke coming from one apartment in the complex, but confirmed all residents had already made it out safely.
Leach says the flames were limited to a single unit and were extinguished quickly. However, smoke spread into nearby areas, leaving damage in the hallway and adjacent apartments. Investigators believe a space heater plugged into an outlet ignited a blanket, sparking the fire.
Firefighters used a fire extinguisher to knock down the flames and remained at the scene for roughly two hours to ensure the building was safe. One resident was taken to the hospital for treatment, though no further details on their condition were released.
The incident highlights the broader risk of space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates they will be responsible for about 1,200 fires nationwide this year.
