Firefighters had to contend with a frozen hydrant while working to extinguish the fire.

The fire at 3102 N. 15th St. was reported at 5:28 p.m.

Fire Department Capt. Jeff Hill said the resident of the trailer was home when the fire was discovered. He said the man heard a noise outside, looked out and saw smoke. He said the man rushed outside, but the fire was already too big for him to put out.

A fire hydrant right in front of the trailer was frozen and no water could be drawn from it. The water distribution system in the Village Green Trailer park is privately maintained, according to Hill.

Firefighters went to work using the water carried on two pumper trucks — a combined 1,000 gallons — while a hoseline was stretched about 250 feet to a working hydrant.

Although firefighters stopped the flames from spreading through the entire length of the home, Hill said it is still a total loss.

The most likely cause of the fire was embers from a burn barrel close to the home. Hill said the resident started a fire in the barrel at about 3 p.m. The fire started on the outside of the home, he added.

The fire sent a column of smoke blowing across North 15th Street. Some of the dry grass around the home also caught fire.

Fort Dodge police and Webster County sheriff’s deputies also responded to the fire.