Hampton Man Dies In Crash

By Bob Link of the Mason City Globe Gazette

Hampton-One man died in a single vehicle traffic accident at 8:25 a.m., on Sunday one mile south of Chapin in Franklin County, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

Jose Guerrero, 68, of Hampton, died after his vehicle struck a tree, according to the patrol's accident report.

Guerrero was southbound in a 1985 Chevy cargo van when the vehicle crossed the northbound lane, entered a ditch and crashed into a tree.


©Mason City Globe Gazette 2003

Hampton Man Killed In Accident

A 68 year old man died in a single vehicle accident Sunday morning on Iowa Highway 65. Jose Guerrero of Hampton was traveling southbound at about 8:25 a.m., north of Hampton in Franklin County.

Guerrero's 1985 Chevrolet cargo van reportedly crossed the road, went into a ditch and struck a tree. The van then came to rest in front of a house at 1925 Highway 65, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

No information about the cause of the accident was available today. 
©Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier 2003

Hampton Man Dies in Fire

Man pulled from house after neighbor saw smoke, called 911.

By Jessica Miller
Courier Staff Writer

HAMPTON-A 40 year old Hampton man died in a house fire early this morning. Delmar Campbell was pronounced dead after law enforcement officers pulled him from the burning house at about 1:00 a.m., according to the Hampton Police Department.

Neighbor Diana Schoon saw smoke coming from the house and walked across the street to see if she could awaken Campbell. When he did not respond to knocks on the door, she called 911. "They all did a good job of getting here right away" Schoon said.

Hampton Police and members of the Franklin County Sheriff's office were the first on the scene. The Hampton Fire Department spent one hour extinguishing the fire and returned to the station at about 3:30 a.m. A representative of the state fire marshal's office was on the scene this morning to determine the fire's cause.

Onlookers said heavy smoke poured from the house, but the single-story home remained standing today. Jeff Ferris, Hampton Fire Chief, said the fire had been burning for some time before Schoon noticed the smoke. He said the fire probably burned itself out of oxygen at least twice before breaching the outside wall and producing visible smoke.

Campbell, who reportedly lived alone, was the only person in the home at the time of the fire. "He was a real nice guy. Everyone around here liked him a lot" Schoon said. 
©Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier 2003

Hampton Man Killed In Morning Home Fire

By Mary Pieper, Of The Globe Gazette

Hampton-A Hampton man died when a fire broke out at his house early Wednesday.

Delmar Dean Campbell, 40, was pronounced dead after law enforcement officials pulled him from the burring house in the 400 block of First Street Southwest, said Hampton Police Chief Selden Nelson. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death.

According to the state fire marshal's office, it appears the fire started under the bathroom, where a heating torch was used to thaw frozen pipes, which ignited wood material under the floor.

Campbell, who lived alone, was the only person in the house, firefighters said.

Diana Schoon, who lives across the street, saw smoke coming from the house shortly before 1:00 a.m., when she looked out her window before going to bed. "I was worried about him because he's my friend" she said, "It was a horrible thing."

Schoon went to Campbell's house and tried to open the door, but the knob was hot. She then called 911. "They were there, Johnny on the spot," she said.

Hampton police officers, Franklin County Deputies, the Franklin General Hospital Ambulance and the Hampton Fire Department all responded to the scene. The house filled with smoke when authorities arrived, according to Nelson.

The fire department spent an hour extinguishing the fire and returned to the station about 3:30 a.m. Onlookers said heavy smoke poured from the house, but the single story home remained standing.

Jeff Ferris, Hampton Fire Chief, said the fire had been burning for some time before Schoon noticed the smoke. He said the fire probably burned itself out of oxygen at least twice before breaching the outside wall and producing visible smoke.

Mike Keefe from the state fire marshal's office was on the scene Wednesday.

Campbell, who had a problem with his knee, moved into the house in November, according to Schoon. "He was a real nice guy" she said, "Everyone around here liked him a lot."
©Mason City Globe Gazette 2003