On Monday, August 31, 2026, at approximately 2:13 p.m., Clinton County Communications Center received a
911 call reporting an explosion at a residence at 2817 160th Avenue in rural Calamus, IA. Clinton County
Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Calamus Fire Department and Wheatland Ambulance, were dispatched. Calamus
First Responders arrived on scene and located numerous structures and vehicles on fire. An adult male victim
was located near the residence with severe burns.
The injured individual was treated by Wheatland Ambulance and subsequently transported by AirCare 4 air
ambulance to the University ofIowa Hospitals and Clinics for further treatment. During the blaze-
extinguishing operation, a member ofthe Cal anus Fire Department developed heat-related symptoms and
was transported to Genesis Hospital in Dewitt by ground ambulance.
The victim’s condition and identity are being withheld at this time, and the incident remains under
investigation by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Fire Marshal Division.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Calamus First Responders, Calamus Fire
Department, Wheatland Ambulance, Wheatland Fire Department, Dewitt Ambulance, Clinton County
Emergency Management, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa State Patrol, and AirCare 4.
Sheriff Bill Greenwalt
Clinton County Sheriff’s Office
