Discarded dryer starts smoldering fire in Cedar Rapids home

A discarded hair dryer was the apparent cause of a fire at a Cedar Rapids home Saturday.

Wendy Drahos of 248 21st Ave. SW  told firefighters she put the dryer in the trash after it overheated, then left the house about 6 a.m. She returned shortly after 4 p.m. to find a fire in the trash can had smoldered through the day, burning through the bottom of the can and the floor underneath. The fire burned into a joist and scorched a nearby wall.

Drahos put the fire out before calling the fire department. Firefighters ventilated the home.

Fire department spokesman Greg Buelow said the home's two smoke alarms were missing their batteries.

Red Cross volunteers were called to the scene to provide lodging for Drahos and the home's other resident.