Man charged with first-degree arson after early-morning house fire in Eagle Grove

The following is a press release from the Eagle Grove Police Department.

08-10-2016 (1)

On Tuesday, August 9^th, 1:12 am, the Eagle Grove Fire Department responded to a call of a house on fire in the 1000 Block of S. Commercial Ave, in Eagle Grove.  When Eagle Grove Police Officers arrived they assisted residents of the house as they jumped from second story windows.  11patients, including 2 Police Officer and 1 Firefighter, were transported by the Eagle Grove Ambulance, the Clarion Ambulance, Webster City Ambulance, and Trinity Regional Ambulance to surrounding hospitals.  Injuries ranged from smoke inhalation to severe burns.

While investigating the fire it was discovered that Luis Antonio Huerta-Valadez, 21, of Sioux City, intentionally lit the house on fire.  Huerta is in custody, at the Wright County Jail, and has been charged with First-Degree Arson.  His bond has been set at $100,000.  The Eagle Grove Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s office are continuing to investigate this case.

A special thanks to the Eagle Grove Fire Department, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and Life Flight for their assistance.

Any criminal charges are merely an accusation and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Captain Josh Kuisle

Eagle Grove Police Department

UPDATE (Aug. 19, 9:12 a.m.):

The names of the two police officers and the one fireman injured in Tuesday early-morning fire are not being released.  They have, reportedly, all been released from the hospital.