Four escape Cedar Rapids house fire

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa –Four occupants safely evacuated a house after it caught on fire Thursday evening.

Cedar Rapids Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1617 12 Avenue SE around 7:30 p.m. where they saw flames shooting from the second story windows.

Occupants Lee, 59, and Ann Randle, 50, as well as their daughter, Karissa, and three year-old granddaughter had evacuated the house by the time firefighters arrived. The family dog also escaped safely.

Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesperson Greg Buelow said Ann reported hearing a smoke detector and found smoke and fire coming from an upstairs front bedroom. Ann alerted the rest of the occupants who were able to safely evacuate the house and call 911.

The fire was caused by an unattended candle. Cedar Rapids Fire Department reminds citizens to blow out candles before leaving a room or going to sleep and keep combustibles at least three feet from the candle.

Buelow said Firefighters had the fire under control approximately 15 minutes after arrival and fire damage was contained to the front bedroom and upper-front exterior of the house.

The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.