Cedar Rapids house fire started in ornamental fireplace

Tenants inside a Cedar Rapids house were apparently unaware that their fireplace was only ornamental, leading to a fire that displaced 12 people Wednesday.

No one was hurt in the fire at 1525 Second Ave. SE. Four adults and eight children were inside when smoke started filling a second-floor bedroom.

Lakeisha McDaniel, 28, told firefighters she started burning wood in the first-floor fireplace just before the smoke appeared. Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said fireplace had been modified in the past, and there was no ventilation of the chimney flue.

Investigators determined fire and smoke ascended up the chimney and into a space between sheet rock and roof sheeting, starting the roof on fire. Firefighters arrived in time to prevent a fully-involved fire on the roof, but the attic and a second-floor bedroom sustained extensive heat, fire and smoke damage.

There was also water damage and structural damage from where firefighters opened up walls to check for fire extension and used a chainsaw to open a section of the roof.

Buelow said residents should have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a professional.