Early-morning blaze

Fire departments from Slayton, Balaton, Garvin, Iona and Currie responded to an early-morning fire Monday at the Darrin Grogan home at 1822 170th Ave. on Lake Shetek. The house is on the northwest side of the lake, just off Valhalla Road. Balaton firefighters were initially called to help fight the fire at 4:41 a.m. The first page was for a tanker; the second was 10 minutes later, requesting more manpower and air packs. Two more pages for more manpower went out at 4:57 a.m. and 5:03 a.m. A back-up pumper was also requested from the Balaton Fire Department at 5:52 a.m. The cause of the fire was not known Tuesday. Balaton Fire Chief Troy Wendland said the house was “basically engulfed” in flames by the time Balaton firefighters arrived. He said both individuals in the house got out safely.