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It’s not immediately evident looking at the exterior of the house, but Luverne Fire Chief David Van Batavia said Jim and Marilyn Van Santen’s home is “significantly damaged.”
The house on County Road 6 north of Beaver Creek and west of Luverne caught fire Monday evening and a neighbor reported it around 8 p.m.
Van Batavia said the caller reported smoke billowing from the home, and by the time crews arrived, a good share of the main floor had smoke and fire damage.
He said it’s unclear the cause of the blaze, which started in the central part of the home. “It’s almost too burnt up to tell,” Van Batavia said. “It’s a mess.”
The basement level wasn’t immediately affected, so emergency crews were able to remove furniture, photographs and other items of value before water seeped through.
Van Batavia said the Van Santens weren’t home, but family members had reached them by phone to ask the couple which items were most important to save.
Beaver Creek Fire Department also responded to the blaze. Firefighters remained on the scene until about 11:30 p.m.