A couple is staying at a neighbor's house after a fire destroyed their home early Tuesday morning.
The fire broke out before 4 a.m. at 4525 NE Aurora Ave., northeast of Des Moines.
By the time firefighters arrived, the home, including a newly built addition, was fully engulfed in flames. Several crews were called in to fight the fire.
The elderly couple managed to escape the home safely. Assistant Fire Chief John Norris said the man woke up to his hand burning and then woke up his wife.
"Both of them are very lucky," Norris said.
Firefighters were working to put out hot spots. There was a problem with live electrical line, but MidAmerican Energy shut the line down.
The American Red Cross was also on the scene to help the couple.
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