-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari
Fort Dodge firefighters gather outside Target while investigating a reported electrical fire inside the building. Fire Capt. Steve Teske said an exit sign had a transformer inside of it, which burned out. This caused the sign to burn up. Employees saw the smoke and activated the store’s evacuation procedures, which included setting off the store’s fire alarm and getting everyone outside. Teske said firefighters were able to isolate the circuit and get everything under control. A woman in a wheelchair was examined by paramedics after she was reportedly disoriented and confused, but Teske didn’t know if that was related to the fire or not. Once the store’s fire alarm was shut off, Teske said staff and customers were allowed back in the building. The Fort Dodge Police Department and a crew from MidAmerican Energy also responded to the scene.