SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A Sioux City firefighter was injured and hospitalized after falling through a floor during a house fire in the Morningside neighborhood Tuesday morning.

Emergency crews responded around 7:50 a.m. to a blaze on the 1100 block of S. Fairmount Street, where heavy smoke was reported coming from the structure.

Mayday Call After Floor Collapse

According to John Nelsen of Sioux City Fire Rescue, crews entered the burning home shortly after arrival. During the operation, one firefighter fell through the floor into the basement, prompting a Mayday call.

“It’s not a common occurrence that we have people fall through floors, but it is something we have to be prepared for,”
— John Nelsen, Sioux City Fire Rescue

The firefighter was rescued safely and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Nelsen emphasized the importance of regular Mayday and rescue training, including scenarios involving collapses and entanglements.

No Occupants Inside, But Pets Were Home

Officials confirmed no people were inside the home at the time of the fire. However, five dogs were believed to be present. Later, responders sadly located two dogs and one cat deceased inside the house. The remaining pets are currently unaccounted for.

Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation

• Sioux City Police assisted with traffic control, arriving at 7:49 a.m.
• Nine fire apparatus and over 25 personnel were dispatched to the scene.
• The structure has been red-tagged by the city, marking it unsafe for occupancy.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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