The Marshalltown Fire Department (MFD) had a busy night that included responding to four fires in the same general area and a hit-and-run accident that left a local woman dead on Saturday.

At 9:56 p.m., the MFD responded to a vehicle fire at the Salvation Army building at 107 W. State St., and suppressed it without incident. About 10 minutes later, MFD responded to the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Main Street for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian, 30-year-old Melanie Nelson of Marshalltown, died as a result of the accident.

At 10:10 p.m., the MFD responded to 118 N. 2nd St. for a residential structure fire. Upon arrival, a two-story vacant house was found with heavy fire showing at the rear of the building. The fire had extended into the second story and the attic area. Fire crews achieved control of the fire quickly and searched the building, finding no victims. Additional off-duty firefighters were called to the scene to assist.

Just under an hour later at 11:04 p.m., while working at the structure fire at 118 N. 2nd St., the MFD was alerted to a dumpster fire in the alley of 107 N. 4th St. This was a residential sized roller trash can on fire which was situated up against the garage at this address. The fire was contained to the dumpster but damaged the siding on the garage.

At 11:34 p.m., firefighters were alerted by a citizen to another house on fire at 116 N. 1st St. A large fire at the rear of this structure was found and had extended to the interior of the house. At the time of the fire, the occupants were asleep but were alerted to the fire and escaped. The house, subdivided into two apartments – one on the second floor and one on the first, were searched, finding no victims. An engine from the State Center Fire Department was requested for mutual aid as well as a Medic Unit from Unity Point Marshalltown EMS. Fire personnel were at the scene of this fire until approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday. The residents of the building were displaced. The American Red Cross was requested and is providing assistance to the victims.

The Marshalltown Police and Marshalltown Fire Department Fire Marshal are investigating the fires. Alliant Energy assisted with utility control at both structure fires. Marshalltown Public Works assisted during the incidents with barricades.