Basement fire displaces Cedar Rapids residents; no injuries reported

A basement fire was quickly reported and extinguished by firefighters Thursday on Sixth Street SW in Cedar Rapids.

According to a media release from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, at 1:20 p.m. emergency units were dispatched to 916 Sixth St. SW after a passerby reported smoke coming from inside the home.

Fire crews arrived on the scene within four minutes and found a 'small fire in the basement of the house that had spread smoke throughout the entire structure,” according to the release, and were quickly able to extinguish the blaze.

No one was in the home at the time and no injuries were reported. Five children and two adults who lived at the home were displaced by the fire and assisted by the Red Cross.

The fire is under investigation. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department extended thanks to the public for being vigilant about reporting fires after 'a few fires in our community” that have happened recently.