Four Iowa Children, All Under 13, Killed in House Fire

An unimaginable tragedy has occurred in north central Iowa. A house fire that left four children dead. None of them had yet reached their teenage years.

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The fire, in Mason City, has taken the lives of a 12-year-old, a 10-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 3-year-old.

According to KIMT in Mason City, fire crews were called to a house in the 500 block of N. Washington Avenue in the early morning hours Wednesday, November 16. When they arrived, flames were visible on both floors of the home.

Photos of the house following the fire show the front of the first floor of the home is totally blackened by smoke and fire. Fire damage is plainly evident on the exterior of three of the four second-floor windows that are visible in a KIMT photo.

55-year-old John M. Mcluer and 11-year-old Ravan D. Mcluer were able to escape before firefighters arrived and were taken to a local hospital. They were both treated for burns.

The four other children in the home at the time of the fire were all pronounced deceased at a hospital. They've been identified as 12-year-old John M. Mcluer, 10-year-old Odin T. Mcluer, 6-year-old Drako Mcluer, and 3-year-old Phenix Mcluer.

The cause of the fire hasn't been determined, but foul play is not suspected.

Early this morning, the Mason City Community School District expressed its deepest sympathies in an online post. It reads,

"All of us at Mason City Community Schools are shaken by the loss of our students and extend our deepest sympathies to the family and those closest to them. The district counseling staff, Central Rivers AEA crisis team members, and other local agencies will be on hand today and will be embedded within each district building impacted by this tragedy for those who may need additional support. In addition, students will be encouraged to utilize crisis team member support as needed."