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Muscatine Firefighters Rescue Two People On Sunday

Screenshots of Muscatine Tower Apartments (top) and the Mississippi River near Grain Processing Center
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Screenshots of Muscatine Tower Apartments (top) and the Mississippi River near Grain Processing Center

It was a busy weekend for first responders in Muscatine.

On Sunday morning around 9:45, firefighters were called to the 7th floor of the Muscatine Tower Apartments. They rescued one person who was taken to the hospital for treatment. Local officials say the fire was contained to one apartment, and the sprinkler system worked.

As a precaution, 86 people were evacuated. The building has been damaged by smoke and water.

The residents either called relatives and friends for places to stay or were sent to hotels.

The American Red Cross, Salvation Army of Muscatine County, and Muscatine Non-Emergency Transport all helped them find shelter and provided transportation.

Fruitland and Wilton fire departments and Muscatine police helped Muscatine firefighters at the scene.

An investigation has begun, and the owner of Muscatine Tower Apartments is working to clean up the building.

And Sunday afternoon around 3:20, Muscatine firefighters rescued a man who fell from a barge into the Mississippi River. It happened near the Grain Processing Center, or GPC.

Muscatine Fire Department

The fire department launched its rescue boat and two firefighters. Others helped at the levee at GPC. Those in the boat pulled the man out of the river and took him to shore, where an ambulance took him to the hospital. He was in the 42-degree water for about 20 minutes.

Battalion Chief, Ted Hillard, said “This was one of those low frequency but high risk events that we train for. There was a lot of wind which made the effort difficult but our personnel did a great job.”

Muscatine County Search & Rescue also responded to the call but sent its two boats back after the man was rescued. The sheriff’s department and Muscatine police were also on hand.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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