Ely building full of commercial vehicles a “total loss” after Wednesday night fire

A commercial building in Ely was destroyed in a fire Wednesday night, but no injuries were reported, according to a news release from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

Several local agencies responded to the fire at about 8:15 p.m., including the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Cedar Rapids Fire, Hiawatha Fire, Marion Fire, Mount Vernon Fire, Lisbon Fire, Fairfax Fire, Swisher Fire, Solon Fire, North Liberty Fire, Amana Fire and Area Ambulance.

According to a Facebook post from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, wind caused the fire to move through the entire length of the building, at 1990 State Street, within an hour.

First responders fought the fire from the air and on two sides of the building. Eventually an excavator was used to knock down parts of the building in order to better reach the fire inside, the Facebook post states.

The building is a commercial building leased by multiple businesses, according to the Sheriff’s Office release.

The building and the several commercial vehicles stored there were a total loss, according to the release.

The fire remains under investigation.

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