2 injured in SE Cedar Rapids house fire

CEDAR RAPIDS — Two people — and their pets — received medical care after police and firefighters responded Friday evening to a southeast Cedar Rapids house fire, authorities said.

A neighbor called 911 about 8 p.m. after spotting smoke emerging from the one-story house at 713 32nd St. SE.

Police arrived and found a woman in a craft room who was escorted outside to receive medical care, according to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. A man was in the garage when the fire broke out and went inside to attempt to put it out with a fire extinguisher, but became “disoriented,” according to the fire department, and was taken outside to receive medical care.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was in the basement, and rescued two dogs and three cats, the fire department said. The pets were taken to the garage where they received “pet EMS” care, the department said.

According to a news release from the fire department, the 66-year-old woman was transported to Mercy Medical Center, but her condition was not reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.