FIRE THAT KILLED WESTERN IOWA COUPLE CAUSED BY BROKEN GAS LINE IN HOUSE. THE DEAD COUPLE WAS HANGING CLOTHS ON THE GAS LINE, CAUSING IT TO RUPTURE
February 4, 2015
ATLANTIC,
Iowa —
The house fire that claimed the lives of an Atlantic, Iowa couple was
caused by a broken natural gas line in the basement, according to the Atlantic
Volunteer Fire Department.
Capt. Gene
Schmeling said clothing hanging from the natural gas line in the basement
apparently caused the line to break, sparking the fire on Wednesday evening. He
said he doesn’t know what caused the gas to ignite.
The couple
was identified Thursday as Paul and Denise McDaniel, both 57.
The fire
began about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the two-story, remodeled home. Upon arrival,
firefighters saw flames coming from the front side of the house. Crews battled
the flames and entered to search the home.
Denise
McDaniel was located first, in the upstairs bedroom. She was taken by medical
helicopter to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where she later died.
Paul
McDaniel was found dead in the upstairs bathroom, Schmeling said.
A neighbor
had called 911 alerting officials of the fire, saying there was a small
explosion. The fire was under control within an hour, Schmeling said, but crews
were at the house until about 4 a.m.
The front
wall was destroyed and inside contents were badly burnt, Schmeling said.
The
Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department was working with the Iowa State Fire
Marshal’s office to investigate the fire.