Cedar Rapids firefighters battle blaze at Cambridge Townhomes apartment complex off Blairs Ferry Road

CEDAR RAPIDS - One firefighter received a minor hand injury and an apartment building was severely damaged as the Cedar Rapids Fire Department responded Monday to a two-alarm fire at the Cambridge Townhomes apartment complex, 2135 North Towne Court NE,

According to a department media release, the fire department received the call about the fire at approximately 8:46 p.m. Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters reported seeing 'heavy fire and smoke showing from apartment two” situated on the top floor of the two-story building, according to the release. The fire then quickly spread from there to the attic and roof of the building.

Firefighters first tried to knock down the flames directly but found that the volume of fire was too large to safely contain from the interior of the building, according to the release. After the crews were pulled out, the fire was doused from the top down using the main line from an elevated ladder truck, according to the release. Once this was accomplished, firefighters worked to contain the rest of the scene.

The fire took about one hour to bring under control, according to fire department. One firefighter sustained 'a minor hand injury” according to the release and was transported to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment.

Despite 'multiple occupants” being present during the fire, no other injuries are listed, according to the release. Residents of the apartment were displaced by the fire, however, and they are being assisted by the Red Cross.

The number of alarms generally correspond to the severity of the fire. A two-alarm fire is one deemed serious enough where the initial fire unit called for backup from another fire engine.

The incident remains under investigation, according to the release.