(Pulaski, Iowa) -- The Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department received a call around 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Deputy Dave Davis of the Davis County Sheriff's Department says there were eight people in the home during the fire. The Pulaski fire department arrived at the scene of the Valley Avenue home south of Pulaski, the two-story house was fully engulfed in flames.
Bloomfield, Floris, Drakesville, and Milton fire departments also responded to assist in battling the blaze, and fire fighters were on scene until just before 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The home is owned by Chris and Robin Bollman. Family members told KTVO that the house blew up and burned in about ten minutes.
The Davis County Sheriff's Department says the home is a total loss, and at this point they say they have some ideas as to where the blaze may have started, but they've cited no official cause. Three state fire marshalls began to investigate shortly after the fire was contained, but a total loss rarely leaves many clues. Deputy Davis says state fire marshalls are expected to investigate further on Monday, and they hope that talking to the family might help to discover what initially caused the fire.
Five family members managed to escape the blaze. They are 12-year-old twins William and Tyler Bollman, 7-year-old Alex Hilgenbrink, and parents Chris and Robin Bollman. Fourteen-year-old Tony Bollman was staying at a friends house, so he was not injured at all. The mother, Robin Bollman, and her son, Alex Hilgenbrink are currently in Iowa City receiving treatment for third degree burns, family members expect them to be released within the next few days.
According to family members the three children who died in the fire were in upstairs bedrooms of the two story home. The fire took the lives of 12-year-old Victoria Hilgenbrink, her younger sister 9-year-old Gabriel Hilgenbrink, and Anthony Hilgenbrink who was 6-years-old.
The family lost everything in the fire. If you would like to help them out, you can send a check or donation to:
Chris and Robin Bollman Children's Fund. Community First Bank. 110 N. Washington Street in Bloomfield, Iowa. The zip code is 52537.
Also, area Wal*mart stores are helping the family out. Stores in Kirksville, Ottumwa, Centerville, Fairfield, and Oskaloosa are setting up donation containers.
