Heavy fire damages Cedar Rapids house; man, children escape

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man and three young children escaped to safety as flames engulfed the back side of a northeast Cedar Rapids home Tuesday evening.

Firefighters rushed to 6702 Arbor Lane NE around 5:27 p.m. when neighbors reported flames coming from the roof. By the time they arrived, a man who lives there was already outside with children who were staying there for child care, officials said.

"He had been in the kitchen, saw a flicker, opened up the door and the back side of the house was on fire," Battalion Chief Brian Gibson said.

Neighbor Brad Ransford, 32, who lives across the street and is a volunteer member of the Hiawatha and Robins fire departments, said he noticed firetrucks arriving and saw flames shooting from the roof.

Authorities said the fire extended into the attic, causing significant damage to the back side of the home. Firefighters rescued a dog that was still inside, and it was taken to a veterinarian, although it was expected to be OK.

At least six firetrucks lined the street. A Salvation Army truck arrived on the scene to help the home's occupants. Fire officials said they would be displaced from the house because of the extensive some and heat damage.

The fire's cause remains under investigation.