Residents escape Iowa City apartment fire as police search for witness

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Police have joined the investigation into a fire that has left residents of an apartment building without a home.

Residents of an Iowa City apartment complex were able to escape uninjured from a fire late Saturday. Iowa City fire crews responded to the scene at 421 South Dodge Street shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday.

When crews arrived on the scene they found heavy smoke coming from the two-story, six-unit building. The fire was under control in about 45 minutes.

See more photos by Katie Moffitt at KCRG.com.

Iowa City police is asking for help locating a possible witness to the fire. The witness is described as an older white man, between 5-feet 10-inches and 6-feet tall, with a beard and long hair and wearing a dark-colored coat and pants.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Iowa City Police Department at (319) 365-5275.

When fire crews first arrived, Initial reports were that someone was still inside the building. Firefighters entered the building and did not find anyone during their search. A dog was rescued from a second floor unit.

A firefighter did sustain burns to both his hands.

Crews from West Branch, Coralville along with several from Iowa City were called to assist at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

- By Matt Nelson