Deck, back of Cedar Rapids home damaged in early-morning fire

UPDATE: Investigators think a recreational fire that wasn't fully extinguished caused an early-morning fire that destroyed a deck and damaged a house in Cedar Rapids.

No one was injured when fire broke out around 2 a.m. Friday at 1911 K St. SW. A passer-by noticed flames at the back of the two-story house and pounded on the front door to alert the occupants, Dan Meyer, 38, and Kendolynn Kirby, 38, authorities said.

Firefighters arrived to find the deck on the back side of the house on fire. Meyer, who owns the house, and a neighbor were trying to put it out with a garden hose. The fire was spreading into the house, but crews doused it before it caused much damage.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the deck and a first-floor bathroom took the brunt of the damage. A bedroom and bathroom on the second floor were also damaged. A snowblower and lawn mower that were underneath the deck were destroyed.

Buelow said the occupants had a recreational fire within 10 feet of the deck and an adjacent garage earlier in the evening. A preliminary investigation found that the fire was likely caused by hot coals or ashes from that fire, he said.

Recreational fires should be at least 25 feet from any structure for maximum safety, Buelow said. Fire pits and other covered recreational fires are allowed within 15 feet of a structure, he said. Guidelines for recreational fires are available on the Fire Department's Web site, www.cedar-rapids.org/fire.

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