1 dead in Cedar Rapids hotel fire

CEDAR RAPIDS — A man was found dead Wednesday afternoon when firefighters responded to a fire at a southwest Cedar Rapids hotel, authorities said.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the Rodeway Inn, 4011 16th Ave. SW, at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release issued by Cedar Rapids public safety communications specialist Mike Battien.

Crews found heavy smoke coming from a single room at the hotel, the release states. Inside the burning room, they found the man, who was dead. His cause of death and the cause of the fire are under investigation.

One room in the hotel sustained substantial damage, but the rest of the building had only minimal damage, authorities said. Guests who were evacuated will be able to return to most of the hotel when the investigation is complete.

The man, who has not been identified by authorities, is the first Cedar Rapids fire fatality this year.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.