Fire destroys iconic Mason City apartment building

MASON CITY — The Kirk Apartments building stood in downtown Mason City for more than a century, its copper-clad windows and sturdy brick serving as a backdrop for countless band festivals, senior portraits and evening walks.

On Tuesday, its displaced residents stood in the early morning sun, grieving the loss of their possessions, pets and home after a Monday fire destroyed the building at 206 N. Federal Ave.

The fire was discovered Monday morning when smoke alarms in the building began to sound.

“I was just sleeping in my bed. I woke up because I could barely breathe. I saw the smoke and grabbed my phone,” said Kylie Fink, who lived on the ground floor, where the blaze began. “I looked over at the bathroom and there was a fire. I ran out and started pounding on people’s doors to try to get them out.”

Mason City Fire Department was on the scene within minutes, and by 2:30 p.m. it seemed the fire was under control. From the outside, the smoke had dissipated and no flames were visible. Firefighters were preparing to allow residents back into their apartments to retrieve medication and other necessities.

That never happened.

By 4:30 p.m., smoke had reappeared and thickened, flames were visible from the north side of the building, and all of downtown was darkened. Eventually, flames were visible through the roof. At 8 p.m., the historic three-story building was still burning, its floors had given way and bricks on one side had collapsed.

Ed Kent, owner of the Kirk Apartments, watched as the blaze destroyed his building Monday.

"What does this say about our fire department?" Kent asked as the rekindled blaze roared through the building. Then he started a sentence he didn't finish. "They're all screwing around, and then it …"

Kirk rose from the ashes of Kirkland Flats

The Kirk is the second apartment building to stand at the corner of Second Street Northeast and North Federal Avenue in Mason City. It was constructed after the previous building — the three-story Kirkland Flats, built in 1892 — was destroyed by fire in 1902.

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According to a Globe Gazette newspaper article dated Oct. 9, 1902, the Kirk was reconstructed using the remaining north, west and partial south walls of Kirkland Flats.

The Kirk was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The nomination form for its addition to the Register cites the building’s design and history.

“Its local significance centers upon its eclectic design accomplished through good scale and massing and its fine use of materials, color and detailing, and its long commercial history,” the nomination states.

At the time of its construction, the Kirk apartment building contained 25 single and 11 double rooms, many of them with private baths, according to the nomination. There were also 21 apartments finished with oak trim and maple floors. Each apartment had a private bath and a balcony.

The building also featured “Romanesque arches with carved sandstone panels,” iron balcony rails and green copper bays.

Recovery begins for community, residents

In the wake of Monday’s fire, the community has rallied around the residents that were displaced.

The Salvation Army of Mason City offered shelter, bus passes, gas vouchers and other items to residents in need. The Red Cross also was stationed at the Salvation Army.

Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel said he feels the loss of the historic building intensely.

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"The building is a total loss, but thank God all were evacuated safely and there were no injuries. A huge thank you for the heroic work of our firefighters and police officers," Schickel said Tuesday. "They have been working overnight and are still working to keep the area safe today. Thank you also for the assistance from neighboring fire departments. A concern now is the possibility of walls collapsing and causing surrounding damage. That’s why adjacent streets will remain closed until the area is secure. The focus right now is on making sure everyone has a place to stay, cleanup and safety."

Neighboring downtown business owners were on the scene Monday and Tuesday, surveying the damage to the Kirk and the buildings around it.

Andrew Balduf, head chef at the Suzie Q, a local diner next door to the Kirk, said there was some water damage to the historic building, but he anticipates the cleanup will be minimal. He was waiting for the area to be declared safe.

“I just went in there and it looks pretty good,” Balduf said of the Suzie Q. “Firefighters are worried about Kirk’s west wall collapsing, so I don’t know when that will be resolved.”

Randy Black, owner of Tiques and Treasures on South Federal Avenue, an antique and collectibles shop, watched as the Kirk burned. He worried that damage may extend beyond the Kirk.

“We’ve got so many collectibles in there,” he said of his business. The smoke alone is going to damage them.“

City officials were concerned early in the week about the safety of community members who were interested in seeing the ruined building. Officials asked onlookers to respect the barricades and give staff room to operate downtown.