Officials investigate cause of northeast Cedar Rapids fire

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is investigating the cause of a house fire that displaced six people.

Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said officials received reports around 12:03 p.m. Wednesday, of smoke coming from the home at 2944 Oakland Rd. NE. When crews arrived, they saw "heavy smoke" coming from the house.

The house is owned by Virgil and Janice Henley, but is being rented out by their 43-year-old son Dean Henley.

According to a news release, Dean Henley said as soon as he saw light smoke on the first floor and smelled "plastic burning," he evacuated with his dog and moved his 1965 Chevrolet from the garage.

His five children, ages 12 to 16, were in school at the time of the fire.

Firefighters arrived on scene of the two-story raised ranch style home to find flames coming from the roof around the chimney in the center of the dwelling. Fire crews entered through the front door and proceeded inside on the first floor, where they encountered "thick, black smoke and heavy heat."

Firefighters could not locate fire amongst the thick smoke, but did manage to pull down a portion of the ceiling, where they found heavy fire in the attic area, the news release said.

According to the release, after the occupant had safely escaped, the firefighters began to fight the fire defensively, using a ladder truck to "provide an aerial attack on the flames." As soon as the fire was more manageable, crews re-entered the structure to knock down additional fire and breach walls and ceilings to exposure and extinguish the fire.

There were several power service lines that extended from nearby poles to the house that were live and arcing at the scene. Alliant Energy was dispatched and arrived on scene to de-energize the lines, the release stated.

Although smoke alarms were working inside the house, Buelow said the house is most likely a total loss, destroying the "first floor, roof and backside of the structure."

"I've never seen a fire like this," said Steven Vick, 66. "That's why I stopped."

Officials on scene said the root of the fire is still unknown and will remain under investigation. The American Red Cross was also on scene assisting Dean and his five children.

"It really was a beautiful home," said neighbor Jay Balcom.