Three injured in fire on Blairs Ferry Road

Three people were injured and hospitalized after an apartment building fire early Wednesday on Blairs Ferry Road.

Police officers responded to a report of a fire with people trapped inside about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday at 2131 Blairs Ferry Road NE, a news release said.

Upon arrival, the first Cedar Rapids Fire Department crew decided to pull a line to attack the fire while officers used ladders to help occupants out of a third-story window, according to the news release. Next, arriving crews assisted police in getting up ladders on all sides of the building to aid in evacuations. The release stated that the fire was quickly extinguished and all residents made it out.

According to the release, multiple people were displaced because of the fire, and three people, whose exact injuries are unknown, were transported to a hospital for treatment. The structure was left with moderate damage to the rear stairwell and hallway.

Cedar Rapids police and fire were assisted by Area Ambulance Service, Hiawatha police and rescue and the Red Cross.

This is an ongoing investigation and authorities said no other details were being released yet.

Eight weeks ago, four people were hurt in a fire at an apartment building at 2135 Blairs Ferry Road NE, just doors from Wednesdays blaze. According to witness accounts, several tenants dangled from windows or jumped to the ground to escape the June 20 fire. Authorities said then they rescued one person from inside the apartment building.