Electrical Fire Displaces Jamestown Family, Red Cross Provides Assistance
A bedroom fire on December 4 at 506 5th Avenue Southeast in Jamestown forced occupants from their home, though all people and pets escaped without injury. The probable electrical cause, minor smoke and water damage, and opened walls required a multiunit response and left the household temporarily without electricity, underscoring local risks and the need for preparedness.
On the morning of December 4, the Jamestown Fire Department responded to a reported bedroom fire in southeast Jamestown that displaced the home occupants but resulted in no injuries. Five fire units and 18 firefighters arrived shortly after 7 a.m. at 506 5th Avenue Southeast. Jamestown Police also responded to the scene.
Fire crews opened interior walls to extinguish the blaze and to check for hot spots, a tactic that extended operations to about 2 hours and 15 minutes on site. The most probable cause of the fire was electrical, and the home sustained minor smoke and water damage in addition to the intentional damage from opened walls needed to fully extinguish the fire. Loss of electricity left the occupants unable to remain in the residence, and the American Red Cross is assisting the household with displacement needs.
The incident highlights several practical concerns for Stutsman County residents. Electrical faults remain a common ignition source for residential fires, particularly during colder months when heating devices and increased electrical use place added demand on home wiring. The response demonstrates local emergency capacity, but it also reveals how suppression activities required to ensure fire containment can produce secondary damage that complicates recovery and housing stability.
For affected households, immediate next steps include coordinating with the assisting agency to secure temporary shelter, contacting insurers promptly to document damage, and arranging for a licensed electrician to inspect wiring before power is restored. For neighbors and the broader community, the event reinforces the importance of working smoke alarms, a household evacuation plan, and regular checks of cords, outlets, and portable heaters.
Local authorities advise residents to report any electrical odors or flickering lights to a qualified professional, and to keep contact information for emergency services readily available. The coordinated response by fire and police, along with support from the Red Cross, prevented injury in this incident, but the community impact of lost housing and repair needs will continue for those displaced until utility restoration and repairs are completed.
