Another local family is without their home this new year. A second story fire at the residence of Jerry and Jessica Zwart, located at the corner of 9th Avenue and 6th Street across the street from the Yellow Medicine East football field, destroyed much of their house in the early morning hours of Friday.
The Granite Falls Fire Department initially responded to a fire call at approximately 10:00 Thursday evening. Prior to the fire alarm, The Zwarts reportedly heard crackling in the walls and ceiling and realized it was a fire when they felt the heat emanating from the walls. Firefighters caught the flames immediately and removed areas of attic where the fire had caused damage.
After the initial flare up, Jerry, Jessica, and their three daughters: ages 7, 9 and 10 traveled a short distance to Jessica’s parent’s, Mark and Deb Neu, for the remainder of the evening. Before the night was through, however, the Granite Falls Fire Department was again called to the location after flames were discovered pouring out of the roof, spotted by a YME janitor said to be snow-blowing.
Firefighters arrived at the scene along with the Granite Falls Ambulance and Police Department at approximately 2:00 a.m. and did not leave the residence until 8:00 a.m. The -10 degree temperature and 15 to 20 mph winds created brutal conditions and only became worse as the morning went on. At 8:00 a.m. the temperature was reported at -24 degrees.
“Everything was freezing up,” commented Assistant Fire Chief Craig Opdahl. “Your trucks were freezing up, your personnel was freezing up... your fire gear doesn’t even bend.”
The cause of the fire is still being determined. Opdahl said that he believed the house to be “a total loss.”
The Zwarts have already received a few donated items, such as winter clothing for the three girls. Anyone interested in providing extra help to the family can reach the Zwarts through Deb Neu at 320-979-0283.
Granite Falls, Minn. —
