The Greene County Sheriff’s Office brought in an extra deputy to help out when an accident and fire occurred within about a half hour of each other in Jefferson early Tuesday morning. Sheriff, Jack Williams, says that he and two other deputies responded to the scene of a semi-tractor trailer accident at about 3:58 a.m., in which a 2004 Peterbilt, driven by 56-year-old Terry Smith of Lake View, overturned on Highway 30 west of Jefferson near L Avenue. Then at approximately 4:30 a.m., they received a call there was a fire at Power Lift on Highway 30 east of Jefferson. Williams says they sent one deputy to help out with the fire that originated in the production portion of the facility.
The damage mainly occurred in that production area, Williams says.
The Jefferson and Grand Junction Fire Departments, the Jefferson Police Department and Greene County Emergency Medical Services remained on that scene for approximately two hours. No injuries were reported in the fire and the damages are now estimated at about $1 million. There is no suspicion of foul play, but the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation into the cause. Crews were on the scene of the semi accident for a longer period of time, until about 8:30 a.m.
In addition to his staff, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) was on scene with skid loaders and stoplights to get the road opened to at least one lane as soon as possible. Greene County Emergency Medical Services and the Jefferson Fire and Police Departments also assisted. Smith was transported to the Greene County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries and cited for failure to maintain control. Carroll Broadcasting has attempted to make contact with Power Lift staff for comment, and will bring you more on their plans for repairs and the impact on production in an upcoming broadcast.
