Iowa City home damaged by overnight fire

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City home was heavily damaged by fire early Friday morning.

Iowa City Fire Department crews were called to 1920 Prairie du Chien Rd. at 1:51 a.m. after a traveler on Interstate 80 reported seeing a house on fire near the Prairie du Chien Road Bridge.

The sole occupant escaped before firefighters arrived, authorities said.

Crews were unable to enter the house because of 'heavy fire conditions and building collapse,” the fire department said. The fire was under control within 90 minutes.

No one was injured. Damage to the property is estimated at $260,000, the fire department said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Iowa City fire marshal.

Seventeen members of the fire department responded to the blaze, and off-duty firefighters were called in to staff the fire stations.

The Iowa City Fire Department was assisted by the North Liberty, Coralville, Solon and West Branch fire departments.

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