Fire Destroys Downtown Maquoketa Businesses

By: Josh Hinkle, Anchor/Reporter

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By Claire Kellett

Story Created: Jan 19, 2008 at 7:45 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 19, 2008 at 10:18 PM CST

MAQUOKETA - As many as five businesses in downtown Maquoketa are now gone, and four families living in the apartments above are now homeless. Firefighters from nearly 20 departments battled the blaze early Saturday morning that stretched nearly a half block.

A thick plume of smoke visible from miles away drew dozens to downtown Maquoketa. An early morning fire gutted an entire city block. A once historic setting is now burned beyond recognition.

Curious onlookers mixed with those who needed proof of this disaster. Kathy Appelhans stopped into the home furnishings store just yesterday.

"I couldn't believe in less than 24 hours, their business and part of their livelihood is gone," says Appelhans.

She and her father came to check on her nephew, a firefighter from Bellevue. Every department in Jackson County showed up, along with several others from outside the area, even as far away as Illinois.

Temperatures dropped to ten below zero causing plenty of problems for firefighters and their equipment. The water used to douse the flames quickly turned into icicles.

Firefighters used up the town's water supply, and soon had to truck in water from the Maquoketa River.

Two firefighters were taken to the hospital for injuries. The state fire marshall was on scene Saturday morning. No word yet on a cause.

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