Several people rescued from apartment building fire in southeast Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Several people were pulled from apartment windows and balconies Wednesday morning when a blaze erupted in a first-floor apartment at 1407 Third Ave. SE.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said firefighters were called to the three-story apartment building at 7:39 a.m.

When they arrived, firefighters found light smoke pushing from a first-floor apartment, a news release said.

While one fire crew deployed hose lines to combat the blaze, other crews used fire escape ladders and deployed ground ladders to windows and balconies to help those on the second and third floors escape the building. A tweet from the fire department said firefighters removed several people using ladders and fire escapes.

Several fire victims were removed from the building on ladders placed to exterior windows.

— Cedar Rapids Fire (@Cedar_Rapids_FD) July 14, 2021

Firefighters also searched the building to ensure no occupants remained inside. All occupants got out of the building safely, the fire department said.

Firefighters said the apartment where the fire ignited received “major damage.” The rest of the building received minor smoke damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Cedar Rapids assessor’s website shows the 99-year-old building consists of three stories and a basement and houses 12 apartment units.

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