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Fire destroys house on Pebble Hills Drive
Cement siding helped save second house from being destroyed
Originally published 09:50 p.m., January 30, 2008
Updated 11:02 a.m., January 31, 2008
A Wednesday night fire destroyed a new home under construction near the Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls.
In 15-below weather, the Fergus Falls Fire Department worked to extinguish the blaze at 3820 Pebble Hills Drive, where Mike and Annie Alt are building a new home.
Firefighters were called to the scene at about 8 p.m. Wednesday.
By the time the department arrived, the house was a loss, said Fergus Falls Fire Chief Mark Hovland.
Firefighters worked to put out the blaze and protect the house next door, 40 to 50 feet away. Windows in that house cracked from the heat.
“If it hadn’t had cement siding, we would have had another house lost,” Hovland.
Frigid temperatures — winds at 5 mph and a -24 below wind chill — made it challenging for firemen to do their jobs, Hovland said. One hydrant would not open because of the cold and another a short distance away had to be used, which meant more hose had to be rolled out.
“Any time you’re working in weather like this it can get dangerous. You have to worry about firefighters getting frostbite,” Hovland said.
The construction site was vacant at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported, Hovland said.
The cause has not been determined, he said.
Firefighters cleared the scene about midnight.
The fire department had barely finished putting away equipment when it was called out to another scene shortly before 1 a.m. when a pipe broke at the county highway department.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by lenny (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe a charcoal grill.
Posted by thebarrat (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Lenny needs to get a job! 51 overall posts with 8 of them being today (1/30/08). Wow you must be one of the hopefuls still waiting to see if they will give TAX relief $$$ to Non-Taxpayers.
Posted by redtree (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there at the fire. I wanna know who that big mac was in that black cadillac pick up who drove past the police line and got in all of the fire fighters way; and then argued with the police officer. I think its arrogant to disobey police orders and ignore the safety of self and others. People in pajama pants aren't dressed to fight a house fire in -20 weather.
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the barrat, needs to get a job. He seems to have enough time to count the number of posts people make (what a looser) and to run around town peeking in windows. You were the rat who ratted out the smokers at Larry’s, were you not? I know you were, you admitted it in other posts. Who wants to listen to the opinions of a window peeper?
Posted by nancymattson (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My niece and nephew-in-law are devastated right now. Their house just burned down to the ground. The home that they would raise their newborn baby in and share lots of memories is gone. My heart goes out to them. As a community, we should be surrounding them with love and compassion instead of arguing on the web anonymously. Lets focus on how we as a community can help this family. I hope I don't see anymore negative comments concerning this article. This family has enough to think about right now.
Posted by sassica (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The barrat does need a job. Who has that much time to be counting other peoples comments. I think thebarrat likes lenny a bit too much........stalker!
Posted by thebarrat (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes I admit it is pretty tough to "click" on someone's user name only to reveal how many postings a person has made at the top of the next page. As for being able to count the 8 postings made yesterday by Lenny, it is more than I can say for some of you (based on some of your oh so intelligent postings).
Posted by kdutch86 (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent job to the FFFD. Sorry for the family - very fortunate it did not happen while living there.
Posted by Callie25 (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please people, argue somewhere else. I agree this family needs support right now. Also, cudos to the fire dept for saving the house next door.
Posted by fergusfallsmom (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Callie!
Posted by mbj (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Big Big Kudos to the Fergus Falls Fire Department!!! It was dangerously cold last night and they very literally risked their lives to help this family and their neighbors. Then to get called out again as soon as they were done was so rough! Remember- almost all of these guys were up all night in -50 weather, wet, working like dogs, and then had to get up and go to work this morning. These guys don't get nearly enough credit. THANK YOU!
Posted by TLRC (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job to the FFFD - The weather did not help anyone out yesterday. My heart goes out the family. Be thankful that the house was not finished and filled with all your memories. Start again and I hope this time around goes better for you. Wish you all the luck. Good Job FFFD
Posted by MNPhisherman (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great work done by the Fire Dept. The danger of working in temps such as that night should not be discounted.
How does a fire like that start at 8pm on new construction?
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Ins...
Posted by sassica (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know the fire dept guys work very hard and as volunteers! Thank you for all you do! Keep up the good work!
Posted by mbj (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MNPhisherman, I really hope you're not suggesting or insinuating this fire was set intentionally. It's not uncommon for large space heaters to be used during construction and are sometimes the cause of fires like this. The Alts are fantastic, responsible, upstanding people and shouldn't be subjected to suggestions like that at a time like this. Hang in there, Mike and Annie!!
Posted by MNPhisherman (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The article came out yesterday and was a topic of conversation at the office. I found the timing of our own local event to be ironic. I have no idea who the Alts are, but i do not believe that anyone in this community would do something this drastic. I wish them well in rebuilding what was lost to them in that neighborhood. Hopefully the construction goes well the second time around.
The article is just for people to read as a light reading.
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts go out to the Alts and thankful no one was injured!!!
A HUGE THANKS to our Fergus Falls firefighters!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by susan22mn (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Annie:
Matt's Aunt Suzi here... So terribly sorry to hear of your huge loss. I can't imagine what you and your family must be going through. We had a house fire back in 05, but did not suffer total loss. I know it seems unbelievable right now, but things will get better... I promise!!! All my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Matt: Sounds like you and the FFFD did a great job! I'm proud of you.
Nanc: Great words of advice!
Posted by justme (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have a heart and get a life, people. This was an unfortunate event that could have been a tragedy had the Alts been settled in their new home. There are several ways an accidental fire could start on a new construction site, a welder or a torch left on, a heater, perhaps, in this weather? I found a good article, too, and I was surprised to see that is very likely for a fire in new construction to happen at 8pm in January. I was also surprised to see that the leading cause, by a long shot, of these fires, is listed as incendiary(arson)or suspicious. The study doesn't state by whom the fires are usually started.
www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v2i1...
One should never cast doubt on a family who has suffered such a loss until one becomes a fire investigator. That's why we have a State Fire Marshall.
If you are going to link to an article just for the fun of it, maybe you should make sure it is related to the article and not at someone else's expense. Your intent was clear when paired with the comment "How does a fire.......new construction?"
Posted by hindsight (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My sympathy goes out to the family for the loss of their home. Shame on those of you who have chosen to persue off topic discussion, how do you sleep at night?
Posted by proudmama (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MNPhisherman - get a life!!!!! That is quite an accusation. I believe it may even be a libel, an untruthful statement about a person, published in writing or through broadcast media, that injures the person's reputation or standing in the community. Because libel is a tort (a civil wrong), the injured person can bring a lawsuit against the person who made the false statement. You should watch what you write!!!
Posted by Ballzdeep (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow Proudmama! You should be a LAWYER!
I can't imagine that there are more requirements than looking up "libel" on the internet. They should be mailing you your law school diploma in 3-6 weeks. I suggest looking things up on WebMD and getting your Doctorate too.
Posted by proudmama (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ballzdeep-is that you God??? . . . it seems you have all the answers!!
Posted by Ballzdeep (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you usually get contacted by God in email postings? If so, it's time to put on your "out of the house" flowered moomoo and seek help. Please lick the orange cheetos crust off of your fingers, pick up the phone, and call a Dr. I'm really concerned about you.
Posted by roller (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To answer our question redtree the truck belongs to the owner of the fergus falls mcdonalds. I can't believe that he would to something like that.
Posted by joni_loves_chachi (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard that Fonzie is going to visit Fergus Falls. He likes McDonalds.
Posted by MyFurryFriend56537 (anonymous) on February 3, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI: a law degree is a doctorate
Posted by ssac (anonymous) on February 4, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by joni_loves_chachi (anonymous) on February 8, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Mayor McCheese holds a doctorate. However, that little 'nugget' is usually ignored in light of his questionable past. You see, before becoming the mayor of McDonaldland, Mayor McCheese was the infamous Mayor of Living Island (aka H.R. Pufnstuf). Mayor McCheese used his doctorate in law to help Sid and Marty Krofft win a 1 million dollar lawsuit against McDonalds in 1977. McDonald's promptly fired Mayor McCheese along with Grimace, Hamburglar, and the Fry Guys. Let that be a lesson to you next time you question the power of legalese.
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