News : Local family suffers house fire on Christmas Eve

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 08:16 pm, the Vinton Fire Department was requested by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch to a private residence in the 1000 block of West 8th Street to a working structure fire reported to 911 by a neighbor.

Vinton Fire responded to the scene with both command units (Chief Staab and Assistant Chief Wood), both city engines 719 and 711, and ladder truck 707 with a total response of 17 members with the first units arriving on scene at 08:23 pm.  

Upon arrival, it was found that the fire had engulfed the east and north interior rooms of the residence and had self-ventilated through windows in the residence. Entry was made into the structure, and the working fire was quickly extinguished.  Overhaul operations were more time-consuming secondary to the fire’s extension into multiple attic spaces present between additions and the original structure.  Vinton Fire was on-scene until 10:34 pm and no injuries were reported to firefighting personnel.  

No human occupants were home at the time of the fire, and despite the fire’s extension into only two rooms of the home, the remainder was affected by smoke damage with a significant loss of contents secondary to this. A nearby detached garage was unaffected by the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. 

Vinton Fire was assisted on scene by North Benton Ambulance for rehabilitation operations and the Vinton Police Department with traffic control, scene safety, and management of bystanders. Benton Emergency Management was also present for resource allocation as well as coordination for care of the residents affected by the loss of their home and possessions.  

The Vinton Fire Department extends its condolences to the family affected by this fire and commends the community of Vinton for its quick and generous response to support this family during the Christmas season.