Hot coals in Yardy cart spark Cedar Rapids fire; two escape safely

UPDATE: Hot coals from a recreational fire started a fire that caused major damage at a Cedar Rapids home early Monday morning, officials said.

Fire crews rushed to 1018 Tiara Dr. NE around 4:15 a.m. after Bret and Maria Paulsen woke up to the smell of smoke. They had found a large fire in their garage, and got outside safely.

Fire Capt. Andy Olesen said investigators determined coals from a recreational fire were discarded into a Yardy cart that was being stored in the garage.

No one was hurt in the fire. The flames burned through the roof of the garage and extended to the attic of the two-story home, causing significant damage. Smoke and water damaged the rest of the structure, Olesen said.

A garage at 1012 Tiara Dr. NE, owned by Steve and Amy Koffman, also sustained heat damage to the siding.

Crews stayed on the scene for about four hours, opening up concealed spaces to extinguish the fire.

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