Downtown Marengo fire claims one life

One man has died after a fire in a downtown Marengo apartment building this morning.

Fire crews responded to a call of a fire in the city's square a little after one this morning. It happened  on the corner of the downtown square in Marengo at 1199 Court Avenue, on the second story of an apartment complex.

One look at the flames shooting through the roof convinced the firefighters to call in five other departments for help.

"As I understand, they said they tried to get in there, but it was too hot and smoky, they couldn't get him out," said Janice Alford, sister of the possible victim.

Firefighters have not yet identified the victim who died in the fire, or notified all the family, nor have they discovered what caused the fire yet. The Iowa fire marshal's office will be here later to investigate.

Marengo fire chief Steve Meyer slipped and fell on ice and was taken to the hospital for X-Rays. There's no word yet on the extend of his injuries, and no other firefighter was hurt in the fire.