Victim set Cedar Rapids mobile home fire, official says

CEDAR RAPIDS - Fire investigators have determined the victim of Tuesday's mobile home fire in Cedar Rapids actually set the fire herself.

Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the fire at 2506 Canyon St. SW has been ruled intentional. Smoke alarms in home were found disabled.

Cynthia Wiseman, 56, was rescued from her burning home by firefighters after she was found on the kitchen floor. She was talking at the scene, and was transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for smoke inhalation, authorities said.

A hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday no information about Wiseman's condition was being released.

Buelow said the fire started in the living room and burned laundry, carpet, paper and an aquarium cabinet. He declined to say how or why Wiseman started the fire.

The smoke reduced visibility to near zero in the mobile home during the initial search for Wiseman. Buelow said she had been exposed to the smoke for several minutes.

“She was in the fire for quite a period of time, so she's going to have some elevated carbon monoxide levels,” Buelow said.

A neighbor who had come over to walk Wiseman's dog reported the fire when she saw smoke. Buelow said the dog was actually not in the home and was with Wiseman's daughter.

“A lot of times with these situations, it's a matter of a couple minutes either way, and the outcome can be different,” Buelow said.