First Avenue fire in building attached to former Music Loft location causes heavy damages

Cedar Rapids firefighters doused a fire in the third floor of a vacant building on First Avenue Saturday evening.

According to a media release from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, fire units were dispatched at 7:33 p.m. to 1445 First Avenue SE for the report of a house on fire. As firefighters arrived at the location, they determined that there was fire coming from the third floor of a three-story residential building attached to the back of what used to be the Music Loft.

As fire and smoke were visible from the third floor, firefighters deployed hose lines and made their way to it. Upon arriving at the third floor they encountered 'heavy fire and smoke,” according to the release. Crews. however, we able to bring the fire under control within 20 minutes from the time of the initial call.

The CRFD searched the structure and confirmed that it was vacant. Furthermore, the structure has no utilities and the owner of the building informed them the building is slated for demolition next week, according to the release.

The fire department report about the incident noted that 'heavy damage” was sustained by the third floor of the building, with water and smoke damage affecting the other floors. The incident remains under investigation.