Garage fire marks second recent Cedar Rapids arson case

Cedar Rapids fire investigators are looking into a second case of arson in the past week after a garage burned Thursday morning.

Firefighters responded around 8:40 a.m. when neighbors saw smoke coming from the garage behind 1541 D Ave NE. By the time crews arrived, the fire had spread to the roof.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said firefighters were able to get the fire under control quickly, but had to remove sections of the roof on both sides of the detached garage. The garage was mostly empty, aside from a grill and some other items, but the structure was considered a total loss, Buelow said.

Investigators determined someone intentionally lit two bags of leaves on fire that had been sitting next to the alley-side of the garage for some time.

"It was pretty obvious that there was some human element involved," Buelow said.

No one was hurt in the fire. Wood from the garage fell onto a car parked next to it, causing more than $1,000 damage, officials said.

The latest case of arson comes after another intentionally-set fire damaged a string of four garages Saturday morning near the corner of 18th Street and B Avenue NE. The two fires were four blocks apart.

Authorities are not sure if they are connected.

"It's too early to tell on that, but definitely that possibility will be explored," Buelow said.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to call the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. Those who submit tips leading to the arrest of the people responsible could be eligible for a portion of a $15,000 arson award fund.

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