Fire destroys Anamosa apartment

The Anamosa and Monticello fire departments, Anamosa Area Ambulance Service, and other officials evacuated an entire senior living complex when they responded to an apartment fire at Meadow Ridge Apartments, 1701 Meadow Ridge Dr., at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

According to Mike Huffman of Anamosa Area Ambulance Service, the fire apparently started when a woman left a coffee maker turned on in her kitchen while attending a residential barbecue.

Fire officials said neighbor heard smoke alarms in 67-year-old Margaret Peiffer's unit when she went to the barbecue to alert Peiffer.

But it was too late, and Anamosa Fire's Assistant Chief Training Officer Ron French reported the apartment was a total loss.

"It was just a big ball of flame inside her house," said 86-year-old neighbor Erwin Lowe, who said he heard a "boom" and saw the windows blow out from the flames.

"It destroyed everything she had," he said.

French said thankfully the fire did not spread because of quick response, and that fire walls were installed in between each apartment.

Peiffer was taken to Jones Regional Medical Center for smoke inhalation, but had no other injuries, French said.

"I feel so bad for all the other people that had to be evacuated," Peiffer said.