Fire destroys Oelwein home

An Oelwein home was destroyed by fire early Monday morning.

Several passers-by called 911 a few minutes before 1 a.m. to report the fire at 207 Seventh Ave. SE, and when firefighters arrived “it was heavily involved,” Fire Chief Wallace Rundle said.

The fire destroyed the south half of the structure, including an attached garage and a bedroom above it. Rundle said the house is a total loss. A car parked in the garage was also destroyed.

No one was at home at the time, and Rundle said he's still trying to determine the owner's identity. He said the house recently changed hands, and its new owners had been staying there only part-time.

Firefighters were on the scene just under three hours, Rundle said. There were no injuries.