Fire at Washington, Iowa apartment cancels Thanksgiving plans

Five families had a much different Thanksgiving than most after a fire broke out in their apartment building on Wednesday night.

The fire broke out at 220 N. 2nd Ave. in Washington at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Sheila Eckrich was moving in with her daughter on Wednesday night when she felt and heard something she can't forget. "All the sudden there was a huge surge of electricity going through all the flooring," said Eckrich.

Fire officials said it was an electrical fire that forced people in the apartment building out of their homes Wednesday night. "All the sudden there was just this loud popping noise," said Eckrich.

Sheila Eckrich said they called the landlord while moving in because they didn't have any power and a hallway light kept flickering. But soon after, she heard her husband yelling. "He (said) the house is on fire, get out, get out," Eckrich said.

Officials said the fire started in the attic, right above Eckrich's apartment. The damage can be easily spotted in their kitchen, bathroom and closet. On the fridge was a list of what was supposed to be served up for Thanksgiving Day.

"All the dry food in the kitchen here got soaked," said Eckrich, "The turkey was out on the table thawing, and I said forget it."

Eckrich said their apartment didn't have any fire alarms or sprinkler systems. "I'm thankful we weren't asleep, because the fireman said if we had been in here ten minutes more we wouldn't have made it out," said Eckrich.

It wasn't the ideal way to spend Thanksgiving, but Eckrich has an old saying that she said fits for a time like this. "I used to say to my kids when times were rough, think positive and take one day at a time," Eckrich said.

The fire department said they don't have a dollar amount for the damage yet. The Red Cross put Eckrich and other families in a hotel on Wednesday and Thursday night.

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