Photos Courtesy
JEFF EGBERT/Republic-Times
Story Courtesy
ED WIENHOFF/Monroe County Independent

On Friday May 10, the Waterloo Fire Department responded to rural structure fire at 09:25:00.

Firefighters arrived on the scene at 09:40:00 to find a two-story home with heavy fire showing.

Within seconds, the structure became fully involved and an interior attack was not attempted.

The Red Bud Fire Department was dispatched for mutual aid and arrived on scene to provide manpower.

While firefighters battled the blaze, what is believed to be ammunition, was discharging from the intense heat and fire.

At one point, a large portion of the structure collapsed.

A small lake behind the structure was used as a water supply due to the rural location of the incident.

A backhoe was called in to help move debris to access the interior fire.

Crews were on the scene for several hours and responded to a rekindle the following morning.

In addition to fire crews, Monroe County EMS, County Police, and the Red Cross were on scene to assist.

The owners were home at the time of the fire and exited the structure without harm after discovering the fire.

No injuries were reported and the structure was a total loss.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.