Early-morning fire displaces two Cedar Rapids residents

Two Cedar Rapids residents will be living in temporary housing after fire damaged their mobile home early Thursday morning.

Fire crews responded around 2 a.m. to 216 Norma St. SW, in the Summit View Community. Flames were showing from the west side of the home when the first engine arrived.

Officials said 25-year-old Wendy Benson had been folding laundry when the power went out and she discovered a fire just outside of the home. Benson searched through the smoke to find her two cats, but could not find them and got out safely.

The fire was concentrated near the center of the home, near a laundry room, a side door and an exterior porch, officials said. Firefighters contained the damage to the laundry and kitchen areas and stopped the flames before they breached the roof. The two cats were rescued, but were in need of veterinary care for smoke inhalation.

Officials said the home is owned by Alan Manning, 26, who was not home when the fire was reported. Benson and Manning were assisted with temporary living arrangements by the Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Investigators were working to pinpoint the cause of the blaze.

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