Resident escapes apartment fire

Fire caused an estimated $50,000 damage to a Clear Lake home early Sunday morning.

The Clear Lake Fire Department responded to a house fire dispatched at 1:26 a.m. at 309 S. 8th St.  Clear Lake police officers found smoke and flames in an upstairs 

apartment when they first arrived on the scene. The officers were told the occupant of the apartment, Travis Hendrick, was out of the structure.  CLPD officers then attempted to control the fire with fire extinguishers, but due to the fire’s intensity they could not control the blaze.

Clear Lake firefighters worked quickly and had the fire under control in about five to six-minutes.  The crew on the second arriving engine company assisted with ventilation of smoke taking out windows on the second story of the home.  

According to CLFD Public Information  Officer Billy Krefft, the fire is under investigation, but appears to have started in the apartment’s kitchen and extended into the attic area. 

The owner of the home is Marv Lundbeck.

Thirteen Clear Lake firefighters and two Clear Lake EMS crews were on the scene.  They were assisted by the Ventura Fire Department, which responded with one engine company of five firefighters.  CLFD and Ventura firefighters worked on finding the fire’s extension in the ceiling and rafters.  Crews were on the scene about two hours. 

Clear Lake police and Alliant Energy workers also assisted at the scene.