Man dies, another charged after fire at Hawthorne Hills Apartments

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man has died and another has been charged with arson in connection to the Thursday fire at Hawthorne Hills Apartments in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Steven Craig Balvin, 65, died Saturday after being injured in the fire police say was intentionally set, according to a city news release.

Dallas Tullis, 24, is charged with first-degree arson and assault on a police officer, assault with injury, and interference with official acts after assaulting a police officer and hospital security officer. Tullis, who was also injured in the fire, was arrested Saturday after being discharged from a hospital, according to the release.

According to the news release from Cedar Rapids Public Safety Communications Coordinator Greg Buelow, Cedar Rapids fire investigators and the Cedar Rapids Police Department determined the fire at the two-story, 16-unit apartment complex at 2255 C St. SW was intentionally set by Tullis shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Balvin and two others and a firefighter were hospitalized after being injured in the fire.

The Hawthorne Hills apartment complex sustained significant fire, heat and smoke damage, which reportedly displaced all the residents.

The City of Cedar Rapids Housing Services Department has provided housing assistance for those displaced.