Four kittens rescued from Cedar Rapids house fire

CEDAR RAPIDS - A grease fire on a gas grill is the cause of a Tuesday night fire on Doubletree Road, authorities said.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said firefighters were called to 7007 Doubletree Road NE around 11:25 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a house fire due to a propane tank explosion. Responding crews encountered heavy smoke, as well as fire showing from the roof and side of the home, Buelow said. The fire had also spread from the grill and deck into a second floor bedroom, he said.

Firefighters quickly put out the fire and were able to enter the home to rescue four kittens, Buelow said. The home sustained significant fire damage to the deck, roof, attic and second floor. There was also smoke and water damage throughout the residence.

Buelow said an investigation showed a grease fire on the grill spread to the deck. The propane tank of the grill did not explode, but propane gas was released from a disconnected hose, Buelow said.

Residents are advised to not leaving cooking food unattended and to regularly clean their grills to prevent grease fires, Buelow said.

The Hiawatha Fire Department was called in for mutual aid and the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Area Ambulance Service and The Salvation Army also responded. There were no reported injuries, but the owners of the home were displaced.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com