photo by Sarah Stultz

Albert Lea firefighters respond to a house fire at 334 W. William St. Tuesday evening.

Blaze burns basement

Tenants returned home to the smell of smoke

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Albert Lea firefighters responded to a house fire on William Street Tuesday evening after three of the renters of the property came home and smelled smoke coming from the basement.

No one was injured.

Albert Lea Fire Department Capt. Scott A. Hanna said firefighters received the initial call of the fire at 334 W. William St. at about 7:30 p.m.

Hanna said initial reports indicate three of the eight people who live in the house walked into their home and smelled smoke. A fire had started in the basement.

Initial crews were able to knock out the fire, he noted. A cause has not been determined.

The other five people who live in the house were not home at the time.

As of this morning, the investigation into the cause was ongoing.

Rural fire departments to have practice fire

The fire departments for Manchester, Clarks Grove, Albert Lea Township, Freeborn and Hartland will do a house burn Saturday morning in Bancroft Township.

The address of the practice fire is 73631 245th St., north of Albert Lea. The burn starts at 7:30 a.m. and is expected to finish by noon.

The local Salvation Army chapter will be present to provide support with food and drink, giving the nonprofit organization’s personnel an opportunity to train.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---