Sheldon, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The Sheldon Fire Department reports the male occupant of a home received severe burns to his body yesterday and has been flown to a Minneapolis hospital for treatment.

Chief Brad Hindt reports his crew was dispatched to 1611 East 9th Street around 3 Wednesday afternoon and could observe flames in the living room and coming out of a front window. Both occupants had already exited the home.

The team made an aggressive interior attack, using 500 gallons of water to prevent the fire from spreading. Hindt says there was severe fire damage to the front of the home and heat and smoke damage throughout the structure.  He says there were no working smoke detectors.

Sheldon Fire was assisted by Sheldon Police, the Sheldon Community Ambulance Team, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, O’Brien County Emergency Management Agency, and Mid-American Energy.