Monday, April 7, at approximately 4:05 PM, the Ankeny Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 810 SE Rio Circle in the southeast side of Ankeny. A neighbor made the call to 911, indicating that the back of the house was on fire.
The Ankeny Fire Department arrived on scene in just a few minutes and found a well involved deck fire that was extending into the residence. Crews immediately began to extinguish the fire and aggressively search the residence for any occupants or pets. Inside, crews found two dogs, which were pulled from the fire and were given life-saving treatment to include oxygen and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or CPR. One dog was transported by the Ankeny Police to a local veterinary facility for further treatment; the other succumbed due to smoke inhalation. The occupants were not home at the time of the fire.
The fire caused extensive damage to the home and the American Red Cross was called to assist the family. The Ankeny Fire Department would like to thank these agencies for their assistance: American Red Cross, Ankeny Police Department, Altoona Fire Department, Mid-American Energy, Polk City Fire Department, Polk County Sherriff’s Office Communications Center, and Polk County Emergency Management. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no other information available at this time.