Garage fire results in extensive damage to Cedar Rapids home

CEDAR RAPIDS - A two-story home on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids was heavily damaged in a fire Sunday.

Officials from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department said the cause of the fire at 512 12th St. SE remains under investigation.

Firefighters responded to the blaze around 4 p.m. and were met with heavy fire in the garage area and heavy heat and smoke on the second floor of the house as the fire had extended into the attic area, according to a news release from the fire department.

After attempting to attack the fire from the interior of the house, firefighters had to back out of the structure and extinguish the fire from the exterior.

No one was injured in the fire.

The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced family of the home - Curtis Benton, his wife Marci Ruiz and their six children.

Benton told KCRG-TV9 Sunday that he believes a utility line landed on his garage and initiated the fire.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said investigators have ruled that out.

'It had absolutely nothing to do with the fire,” Buelow said.

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