Cedar Rapids fire caused by trash can on stove

A trash can left on a stove has been cited as the cause of a fire that displaced two people from their southeast Cedar Rapids home Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, at 1602 13th Ave. SE,  started on the stovetop in the kitchen area, near the front of the home on the first floor.

According to Cedar Rapids fire officials, the occupants had placed a plastic trash can on top of the stove to keep the dogs from digging in the garbage. The stove was apparently inadvertently left on, and a fire broke out on the stovetop and  spread throughout the front half of the first floor. Fire officials determined the fire was unintentional.

In a news release, officials stressed the importance of assuring that combustibles are kept at least three feet away from the stove.  To reduce the risk of an unintentional fire, items should not be stored on the stovetop, they added.