Fire causes extensive damage to Cedar Rapids home

CEDAR RAPIDS - Lightning is believed to be the cause of a house fire that displaced a Cedar Rapids couple Tuesday night.

The couple was not injured.

Cedar Rapids firefighters were called to 161 Redwing Road SW at 9:36 p.m. Tuesday after neighbors reported the single story home and garage were on fire. The occupants of the home were able to safely escape. A dog was still inside, but was rescued and also was uninjured, firefighters said.

Crews attacked flames on the garage and rear of the house before knocking down the fire inside the home. The residence sustained 'extensive fire damage,” according to a fire department news release.

The homeowners told firefighters the fire started outside of the home and spread inside. Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said investigation into the cause of the fire showed 'significant charring” around the utility service line to the house, indicating a lightning strike.