INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (KCRG) - One person has now died after a fire at Axtell Manor senior apartment complex in Independence

That fire happened around midnight Tuesday into Wednesday injuring three people.

Independence police officer Mark Gudenkauf was the first to arrive to the fire.

“Hearing a female voice in one of the apartments, he was able to break out a window, and was able to then pull that female victim out of that window to safety,” the Independence Chief of Police, Brian Lau said.

Chief Lau said there was too much smoke to pull the woman to safety any other way, and it likely saved her life.

“His his act of heroism and bravery in that situation and acting quick essentially led to saving that woman’s life,” Chief Lau said.

In total three people needed treatment at a hospital -

See Full Page