-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Fort Dodge Fire Department vehicles fill the parking lot of the Quality Inn on U.S. Highway 169 Friday morning. A fire there sent two people to the hospital and heavily damaged one guest room. -Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A Fort Dodge firefighter cleans up broken glass following a fire at the Quality Inn on U.S. Highway 169 Friday morning. -Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Fort Dodge firefighters work at the Quality Inn on U.S. Highway 169 after extinguishing a fire there Friday morning. A woman and a child suffered smoke inhalation in the blaze, which gutted one room of the hotel.
Dr. Christopher Hill
As more and more individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine, there is hope for returning to some old routines yet this year. In the meantime, we encourage everyone, including those who have received the vaccine, to wear a face covering, social distance and wash your hands frequently to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It is also extremely important to get the care you need for medical emergencies and not to delay getting care.
Since February is National Heart Month, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of heart attack signs. Know that while some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body, and call 911 if you experience:
editor@messengernews.net -Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
John Mosley, of Fort Dodge, gets a little snow blowing done on Friday afternoon along First Avenue North. With temperatures and wind chills about to take a plunge starting today into next week, working outside for too long will be a health hazard. -Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
John Mosleyâs breath begins to fog his glasses Friday afternoon as he works to remove snow along a sidewalk on 15th Street. Colder air is anticipated for Fort Dodge and the state starting today and lasting all week, according to Jim Lee, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines.
Jan 30, 2021
United Bank of Iowa in Fort Dodge recently donated $500 to the Fort Dodge Fire Department. This was part of United Bank of Iowa’s bankwide effort to show appreciation and thanks to local frontline emergency responders. Each UBI location gave a $500 donation to their local first responders to offset the extra costs they have incurred due to multiple COVID-related calls.
Pictured are Shaunna Abrams and Kerry Viken from United Bank of Iowa’s Fort Dodge office presenting the donation to Patrick Greve, Bryce Hamilton, Matthew Newton, Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter, Greg Nelson and TLt. om Ubben from the Fort Dodge Fire Department.
bshea@messengernews.net
A man suffered serious burns when his improvised dwelling in a wooded area of Fort Dodge caught fire early Wednesday morning.
”He was lucky to escape out of there,” Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter said.
The man was initially treated at UnityPoint Health Trinity Regional Medical Center. He was then taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Hergenreter said he was suffering from very serious burns on his upper body.
He said the man had been living in a ”tent-like structure” made of wood and other materials that was in the woods between Mason Memorial Drive and Kenyon Road. The man had a campfire burning and the flames spread to that structure while he was inside, according to Hergenreter.