A Dec. 20 house fire near Steen destroyed a kitchen and left two people temporarily displaced, according to Luverne Fire Chief David Van Batavia.
The 911 call came in shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, of a kitchen fire above the stove.
Two occupants, including Kris Van Der Brink, were out of the house and at the end of the driveway when firefighters arrived.
A grease fire on the stove had climbed up the cupboards and traveled along a vent to the attic, requiring firefighters to rip out a segment of sheetrock to extinguish the blaze above.
The Hills Fire Department was dispatched to provide mutual aid, but Van Batavia said he sent them home moments later after it was clear Luverne had it under control.
“It was so cold, I didn’t want them out there longer than they needed to be,” he said.
He said damage was contained to the kitchen, which would likely need to be gutted, and there was smoke damage throughout the house.
While the plumbing, heating and electric remained operable, Van Batavia advised that a HVAC professional inspect it before Van Der Brink move back in.
She said she’s glad everyone is OK, and the house is insured.