Three Injured in Independence Apartment Fire

Three people were injured in an apartment fire in Independence early Wednesday morning.

The Independence Fire Department says shortly after midnight, they were dispatched to an apartment fire with reports of people trapped inside. While en route, officers from the Independence Police Department were able to rescue one individual from a window.

Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy fire coming from the windows of one of the apartment units. Firefighters quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack and primary search of the structure.

Crews located one individual who had escaped the fire, but suffered serious injuries. During the search operations, firefighters located a third victim inside the building. The victim was removed, with life-saving measures immediately initiated by Independence Fire personnel.

All three people were transported by ambulance to Buchanan County Health Center. Two of the patients were later flown to higher-level trauma centers due to the severity of their injuries.

Independence Fire Department was assisted on scene by Jesup Fire Department, Hazleton Fire Department, Oelwein Fire Department, AMR, Jesup Ambulance, MercyOne Ambulance, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch and Deputies, Independence Police Department, Independence Light & Power, and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.