Fire consumes abandoned building in What Cheer

           Local fire and emergency departments responded to a large fire engulfing an abandoned building on the corner of Barnes Street and East Broadway Street in What Cheer on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 23.

            What Cheer Fire requested assistance from Sigourney, Keswick, Benton Township, Delta, Keota, North Keokuk, Deep River, Barnes City Fire Departments, along with Keokuk EMS, Keokuk County Disaster Assistance Team and Alliant Energy also on the scene. The Sheriff’s Department blocked off Barnes Street from Lacey Highway to the corner of the What Cheer Fire Station for seven hours, as crews put out the fire. After the flames were put out, the building was deemed unsafe, so it was torn down by Seaton Construction.

            The gas and electricity were both shut off in the building. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.