Estherville, IA (KICD)– New details have been released from a Monday fire that destroyed an apartment complex in Estherville including acts of heroism that kept the situation from being any worse.

Fire Chief Travis Sheridan tells KICD News crews were initially called to 203 South 28th Street around 5:45 Monday evening where flames had already extended into the attic and were spreading into all four apartments occupied by several elderly and disabled residents.

Before firefighters arrived, law enforcement and volunteers began checking each apartment for possible victims when a locked door was encountered which ultimately led to Eli Fehr of the Wallingford Fire Department, Emmet County Sheriff’s Deputy David Greenwald, Estherville Police Officer Jacob Hinrickson and local resident Jason Edwards forcing their way inside the smoke and flame filled building to rescue a resident who was later taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

Chief Sheridan notes the Estherville Fire Department does not promote entry into a burning building without proper training and equipment, but the actions displayed on Monday likely kept the incident from resulting in a fatality.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office but the blaze is believed to have started outside.