Sheldon, IA (KICD) — A Saturday evening fire in Sheldon appears to have been electrical in nature.

The Sheldon Fire Department was alerted to a possible blaze at 1816 East 9th Street around 9:30pm. Smoke was coming from the chimney and could be observed through the living room window. The department made entry through the garage and made a sweep of the first floor but found no one home. Backup from neighboring communities were called in as the department proceeded to the basement where they found a fire in a bedroom that was quickly extinguished using about one thousand gallons of water.

Fire Chief Brad Hindt says the house is likely uninhabitable at this time.

He says fifteen members of the Sheldon volunteer fire department were assisted by five members of the Sanborn fire department and four from Hospers. The Sheldon police and Community Ambulance Team; O’Brien County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Management Agency; and Mid-American Energy assisted at the site. They were on the scene for about an hour and a half.

The owner of the home is Kody Hansen. No injuries were reported. Four pets died.