Teen killed in house fire

Van Wert - An early morning house fire claimed the life of 17-year-old Matthew John Caldwell, Sunday at his mother and stepfather’s home in rural Van Wert. Iowa State Fire Marshal officials said the fire originated near a wood burning stove.

Other occupants of the home were able to escape safely, said fire officials.

The Van Wert Fire department were called to the house, which was located at 16412 115th St. and is owned by Trinidad and Bill Jackson, at about 4:07 a.m.

Van Wert called in Weldon, Murray, Grand River, Leon and Garden Grove Fire Departments for assistance. The State Fire Marshal’s office and Decatur County Sheriff also assisted.

For more on this story see the Dec. 9 edition of the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune.