Fire at Cedar Rapids home rekindles; occupants were moving out

UPDATE: Fire damaged a home in Cedar Rapids just hours after the occupants were moving out some of their belongings, authorities said.

No one was injured in the blaze at 129 27th St. Dr. SE, which was reported by neighbors at 2:31 a.m. Friday. Firefighters arrived and found flames coming from the south side of the two-story house. No one was home at the time.

Crews found heavy smoke and fire in the dining room when they went inside, department spokesman Greg Buelow said. The fire had consumed the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. It then ascended to a second-floor bedroom, and then into the attic, Buelow said.

The fire was under control in 30 minutes, but firefighters stayed on scene to make sure it didn't extend further into the attic and roof.

The house is owned by Jeremy Hepker. Neighbors told firefighters that the people who lived there were in the process of moving out Thursday. Buelow said some contents were still inside, though, including furniture.

Firefighters returned to the scene around 7:40 a.m. when debris on the second floor rekindled. They were there another hour, dousing the embers.

A cause for the blaze has not been determined. An investigation is continuing.