Fire investigation continues at downtown Oelwein building

Even as fire crews work to stabilize the downtown Oelwein building that held two businesses and eight apartment buildings, small fires are still breaking out.

“We've had more small eruptions or small fires because of the debris,” said Oelwein Fire Chief Wallace Rundle on Monday morning. “The debris falls and it has air pockets, fire and heat and it's building up. As time goes on, we would rather see flames because we know where the fire is at.”

Rundle said crews are dealing with more debris from Friday night's fire at the West Charles Mall than at the city's other major downtown fires over the past few decades. On Monday, fire crews were tossing charred debris off the second floor into a nearby dumpster.

The building, located at 17 and 19 West Charles Street, remains blocked off for both vehicles and pedestrians. Rundle said they will not open up the street for traffic until it is safe and he doesn't know how much longer the front wall will hold.

“Our problem now is the fact that the front wall of the mall is starting to lose its contours,” said Rundle.

From the weekend and into Monday morning, the Cedar Rapids-based Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit worked for hours, trying to make the building suitable for other investigators to finish their work. Both the state fire marshal and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were on the scene throughout the weekend.

As to why the ATF was looking at the damage, building owner Dave Warthan said one of the business tenants on the ground floor, an antique shop, could be why.

“If there are firearms and ammunition there, then the ATF has to investigate that to make sure nothing is stolen,” said Warthan. He said “probably 16 to 20 people” lived in the eight apartments above the businesses and the building is “more than likely” going to be demolished.

Rundle said pinpointing a definitive cause for last Friday's fire could lead through the rest of the week.

“I imagine this could drag on until Friday where we have any conclusion.”