Crime & Safety
Johnston Woman and Her Great-Grandson Escape House Fire
Johnston Fire Department, along with help from Grimes, Clive and Urbandale Fire Departments, responded to a house fire at 6848 NW 51st Street.
A Johnston woman escaped uninjured along with her great-grandson and dog when the back of her home was engulfed in flames in Tuesday.
City of Johnston Communications specialist Emily Price said the Johnston Fire Department, along with help from Grimes, Clive and Urbandale Fire Departments, responded to a house fire at 6848 NW 51st Street.
The homeowner called 911 to report the fire after she walked into her kitchen and noticed the back of her home was engulfed. No one was injured.
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Because of the dry conditions the fire was spreading through the woman's backyard and into the yards of two neighbors. Firefighters were able to keep it from spreading to any more homes.
Johnston fire investigators believe the fire originated under the lower deck of the home.
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A babysitter reported smelling leaves burning about 90 minutes before the discovery of the house fire. The exact ignition source has not been determined, but it could possibly be linked to smoking, Price said.
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