Alert Neighbor Saves Faribault House

Faribault Fire Chief Dustin Dienst says a house fire broke out over the weekend , which was totally preventable.

In a News Release from Dienst it was revealed the call came in 11:03 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025 from a caller who reported seeing smoke coming from the eaves and flames in the kitchen window of the home at 821 Westwood Drive on Faribault's south side,

The caller also told dispatch no one was at the home.

Faribault Fire Department, Faribault Police Department, and North Memorial Ambulance were all sent to the scene.

Two firefighters who were out on an alarm call responded and performed a size up for incoming firefighters.

Dienst says as soon as the first engine arrived, the fire was knocked down.  Firefighters searched the home to verify that no one was in the structurer.  Ventilation of the home was started and firefighters searched for fire extension by pulling ceiling in the area of the fire.  Firefighters cleared the scene at 12:27 a.m. Sunday, November 2, 2025.

The Faribault Fire Chief reported the cause of the fire was unattended cooking which spread to the cabinets in the kitchen.

"Thankfully the fire was discovered before it was able to spread to more of the home, " said Fire Chief Dustin Dienst.  "This is the number one cause of house fires, and it is very preventable."