Family loses house to fire

Published 9:29 am Friday, April 26, 2013

A home at 58533 210th St., rural Wells, was destroyed by fire early Friday morning. The fire originated in the basement. -- Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

A home at 58533 210th St., rural Wells, was destroyed by fire early Friday morning. The fire originated in the basement. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

WELLS — A family of six lost their home early this morning in a fire about four miles northeast of Wells.

Firefighters with the Wells, Freeborn, Minnesota Lake and Easton fire departments battled the blaze at 58533 210th St. for four hours after receiving an initial report of the fire at 12:15 a.m., said Wells Fire Chief Mike Pyzick.

Two firefighters suffered minor burns to their arms and hands and were treated at the scene by Wells ambulance crews.

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Pyzick said the family — father Jason Possin, his wife and four children — were home sleeping when the fire ignited in the basement. They were woken up by the smoke.

He said the fire had started to burn through to the main level of the house by the time the family woke up and was able to safely exit the house.

When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed.

Pyzick said firefighters had a difficult time battling the fire because of winds out of the south estimated between 30 and 35 mph.

The cause of the blaze is unknown as of press time.

A representative from the State Fire Marshal’s Office will be at the scene today to conduct an investigation, Pyzick said.

He said firefighters returned to the address an hour after leaving for smoldering.

Firefighters were concerned about outbuildings catching fire, Pyzick said.

Possin is a farmer who grew up in the Wells area. Friends said he originally rented the home before he bought it.

The ages of the children were unknown as of press time.

Look for photographs and additional details in the Sunday edition and online at www.albertleatribune.com.