Explosion in North Liberty building causes injuries

An explosion Monday night in a commercial building in North Liberty resulted in injuries -- including of a firefighter -- according to the city.

The North Liberty Fire Department was called to a building at 390 Herky Street at 11 p.m. Monday. Multiple overhead doors were hanging off the building and one person had serious burns. The sprinkler system was activated, and the south wall was bowed out and the roof had lifted from the building, according to a new release.

Utilities to the building immediately were cut and firefighters ventilated the structure and the fire was extinguished, with help from the sprinkler system.

The burn victim was treated by the Johnson County Ambulance Service and taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. One firefighter also was treated by the ambulance service and taken to the hospital before being discharged.

Fire departments from Coralville and Solon and Johnson County Ambulance Service and UI Med 1 assisted the North Liberty department at the scene.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation with the help of the state fire marshal.

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