Neighbors flee homes after 30th fire in Cedar Rapids flood zone

UPDATE: It's an unfortunate milestone for the flood zone.

Monday morning's fire at a vacant home marks the 30th flood-damaged property in Cedar Rapids that somehow caught fire.

The fire broke out just before 3:30 a.m. Monday at 1000 Ellis Blvd. NW, near the intersection of Ellis and I Avenue NW.

Three people who live nearby fled their homes, which sustained damage in the fire. Firefighters say it's unusual to have heat damage at homes so far away.

Not only did the fire spread quickly, but high winds helped fuel the flames and carry the smoke throughout the neighborhood.

The three damaged homes not only have melted siding scattered on the ground, but smoke damage inside as well.

"It took us a year to get back in the house with all the rebuilding,” said neighbor Kayla Mahan, whose home was damaged by the fire.

Now there's more work for Mahan's newly-renovated home after heat melted much of the siding.

"I actually thought it was my house to start with, so I ran downstairs and said mom actually the house next door is on fire,” said Mahan.

Fire investigators are calling this fire suspicious.

"We were told by New Orleans and North Dakota, that had significant flooding events, to be ready for fires that were intentionally set,” said Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesperson Greg Buelow.

Some neighbors say there's a serial arsonist in town. Others believe it's drug addicts making meth causing fires.

"There's no way to really believe there's a certain pattern or anything like that,” said Buelow.

Right after the 2008 flood, police regularly patrolled the flood zone, thanks to $2.3 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That money ran out last year, so now the area is patrolled like any other neighborhood.

"That's the only (vacant home) left around here, so now that that's gone, now we're a little bit more safe,” said Mahan.

There's reward money available for anyone who has information about a possible arson that leads to an arrest. You can leave tips at 1800-CS-CRIME.

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