Electrical fire damages Hillsboro home
A Hillsboro house fire has left two adults and six children without a home after faulty electrical wiring started a fire in an upstairs bedroom. No one was seriously injured.
At 10:18 Thursday morning, the Hillsboro Fire Department was called to 216 S. Main St., the one and a half story residence of Virginia and William Tarbox and their six children. The children range in ages from 16 to 4.
Virginia Tarbox discovered the fire after she smelled smoke in the house and went upstairs to investigate, according to the Hillsboro Police Department. She discovered that a light fixture had caught fire, and she called 911.
When Fire Chief Ben Steketee arrived on the scene, William Tarbox told him that the fire was already out. Once Steketee was upstairs, he realized that the fire was still going underneath the ceiling Sheetrock, he said.
Fire officials then began tearing out Sheetrock that covered the ceiling and angled walls. They then successfully chased down the fire and extinguished it completely, Steketee said.
Faulty electrical wiring caused the fire, he said.
Although the flames never penetrated the roof, heavy damage was done to the wood and support structure under the roof. The fire never spread to the lower level of the house.
Because of the electrical problems and other problems relating to the water heater, officials condemned the home for electric and gas use. Fire Chief Steketee then condemned the entire structure because of the fire damage. The family will be allowed to live in the home again when it's brought up to code, Steketee said.
Fire officials turned the scene back over to Virginia Tarbox by the early afternoon, he said. The Tarbox family is renting the home from the woman's mother, Twila Lackey of Galva.
Except for William Tarbox, the entire family was treated for possible smoke inhalation at the scene by EMS workers. One of the children, 16-year-old Elizabeth, was taken to Hillsboro Community Medical Center for further treatment for smoke inhalation.
Local schools and church groups have set up assistance funds for the Tarbox family.
Hillsboro Elementary School is collecting donations for the family. People can bring in cash or checks, and the funds will be set up as vouchers at area stores and grocery stores for the Tarboxes to buy what they need, said Principal Pat Call.
Two of the Tarbox children attend HES — 8-year-old April and 10-year-old Jennifer.
The Hillsboro Area Ministerial Association has also set up a fund for the family at Hillsboro State Bank. Local churches are setting up their own funds as well, said Pastor Tim Kliewer, pastor of the Trinity Mennonite Church and secretary of the ministerial association.
