FORT DODGE, Iowa —

A house fire on Fort Dodge’s south side drew a large emergency response Thursday afternoon as firefighters battled flames in freezing conditions.

The Fort Dodge Fire Department was dispatched to 1207 S. 24th St. shortly after 3 p.m. Crews arrived to find a two-story, wood-frame home with flames showing from the front of the first floor.

Firefighters began simultaneous search, forcible-entry and fire-attack operations, but icy ground and frigid temperatures complicated their efforts. Officials said the fire had already consumed much of the first floor and spread to the second.

Multiple hose lines were deployed to knock down the blaze, and primary searches confirmed no one was inside the home.

A second alarm was requested, bringing in six off-duty firefighters to assi

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