Fire Engulfs Courthouse In Davenport

Firefighters were battling a blaze late Thursday night that engulfed the Lincoln County Courthouse in Davenport, authorities said.

The fire was reported at 10:18 p.m., a Lincoln County dispatcher said, and firefighters were still trying to douse the flames shortly before midnight.

Few other details were immediately available.

“It had died down for a little bit but it’s really going now,” said Ed Hendrickson, the Davenport mayor-elect.

About an hour after the fire was reported, Hendrickson said he could see the courthouse in flames from his home less than a mile away.

“It looks like the roof has collapsed.” Hendrickson said the building was constructed around 1903. The building was the site of county offices, including the auditor, assessor and Superior Court.

“Everything for this county is in that building,” Hendrickson. “We’re all concerned about this.”

Many of the area’s public officials, including two of the county commissioners, headed to the courthouse after learning of the fire.

Ardell Boleneus, the wife of county commissioner Deral Boleneus, said her husband had returned to the courthouse late Thursday after the fire erupted.

“We just had our Christmas party there today,” she said.

, DataTimes