News : Holiday weekend fires damage two area homes

Firefighters responded to an apparent electrical fire at Joanne Roster's home on Christmas Eve.

Joanne Roster returned home Christmas Eve, plugged in her Christmas tree and the lights. The tree lit up; the lights did not.

About a half hour later, she heard a knock at the door of her house at 1305 3rd Avenue in Vinton. Her house was on fire.

Joanne said she believes the fire was electrical in nature. She and her family watched Vinton firefighters dealing with the problem; the fire was reported around 8 p.m. Saturday. Damage appeared to be confined to one small area above the entry door. There was also some smoke damage in the house.

Earlier on Saturday, the VFD responded to a report of a fire at the Ron and Jessice Heggebo residence at 6097 26th Avenue. Neighbor Kris Hallberg said the couple was not at home when the fire started, apparently caused by a malfunction in the couple's wood heating system. That home sustained fire, smoke and water damage.

No injuries were reported in either fire.