HUMBOLDT — An out-of-control grease fire destroyed the home of Jeff and Linda Clements, 1011 Pecan St., Sunday afternoon.
Humboldt Fire Chief Sean McReynolds said the homeowners had been cooking, and were still in the house, but not in the kitchen when the fire started.
“The fire may have had a little bit of a head start before it was noticed,” McReynolds said.
The Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 4:21 p.m. and was at the scene at 4:26 to see flames emanating from one of the home’s windows and doorways, and smoke seeping through the roof.
“It was basically fully involved,” McReynolds said. “The fire had extended into the scene floor, and into the attic space and out the south side.”
Crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to the north side of the structure, but the house will be considered a total loss. Water damage was evident through the parts that did not burn, and the roof collapsed while the firefighters battled the blaze.
There were no injuries.
Crews were on the scene for about 4½ hours. Sixteen firefighters responded, McVeynolds said.
McReynolds praised the support from Allen County communications system, while law enforcement from the Humboldt police and Allen County Sheriff’s departments provided traffic and crowd control. Allen County Emergency Medical Services were on standby at the scene as well.
