‘It’s just stuff:’ Cedar Rapids apartment occupants react to Monday night fire

CEDAR RAPIDS — Mike Schoon stepped out to go to the store Monday night.

When he realized he'd forgotten his wallet and returned to his home at Cambridge Townhomes, he saw the unit next to his was on fire.

'The front door was open and flames were coming out,' Schoon said Tuesday. 'Two minutes later, it engulfed the entire apartment.'

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said all of the occupants of the two-level, 12-unit building in the Cambridge complex have been displaced, including Schoon, who lived in unit No. 4. The fire originated in unit No. 2, Buelow said.

The fire department was called to the scene at 8:46 p.m. Monday. Responding units encountered heavy smoke and fire upon their arrival. The fire quickly spread to the attic and roof of the building, fire officials said.

Firefighters brought the fire under control in about an hour and one firefighter suffered a minor hand injury that required treatment, officials said.

Buelow said a 28-year-old man outside of the complex reported to firefighters that he was having a difficult time breathing. He was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital.

That man was Ladarrius McGee, who said Tuesday that he suffered from a panic and asthma attack when he arrived on the scene Monday night. McGee said his unit wasn't impacted by fire, but sustained significant water damage.

'I shouldn't have done it, but they were done with my apartment and I walked in and looked at it,' he said. 'That's what sent me into the attack.'

McGee said all of his possessions were in the apartment. He doesn't have renters insurance and he's trying to figure out what to do next, he said.

Schoon, 60, said he was able to get a few things out of his town house, including his computer and phone, but his unit is a total loss. He said all he could do was watch as the fire ravaged the building.

'It's one of those things where you really can't control it,' he said. 'I just keep moving forward. Since there's nothing you can do, I just keep moving forward.

'I was worried about my stuff,' Schoon added. 'But, it's just stuff.'

Schoon said the management at Cambridge Townhomes has arranged for him to move into another unit.

Buelow said the fire destroyed half of the roof of the building, which also sustained major fire, heat and smoke damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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