Rice County Home Damaged by Fire

The Faribault Fire Department issued a News Release Friday saying at 4:52 a.m. on December 6, 2024, the Faribault Fire Department, Faribault Police, and North Memorial Ambulance were dispatched to a report of smoke alarms sounding in a home.

Smoke was also reported in the home at 13 22nd Avenue NW.  Dustin Dienst, Fire Chief says upon their arrival flames were shooting from the roof of the home.

The resident was able to exit safely.

Chief Dienst adds, "Firefighters initially made entry into the home and found heavy smoke but no flames,  Firefighters then went to the roof and removed the chimney.  They also cut holes in the roof to gain access to the fire,  The fire was extinguished from the roof access holes."

Damage was contained to the furnace and roof but there was smoke and water damage throughout the home.  Firefighters cleared the scene at 5:59 a.m.

The Faribault Fire Department conducted an investigation and found that the furnace had failed and heat from the fire of the furnace radiated to combustible surfaces in the attic.

In his News Release Dienst commented, "Working smoke alarms were key in both life safety and limiting damage to the home.  Although I believe this fire was purely accidental, it's a good reminder for all of us to have working smoke alarms and to check our heating systems as we go into winter."

This was a topic touched upon during a recent AM Minnesota program featuring the Faribault Fire Chief.  You can listen by going to kdhlradio.com under the AM Minnesota tab.