Hiawatha home catches on fire; gas grill suspected as cause

HIAWATHA - No one was injured when a Hiawatha home caught fire Monday evening.

According to the Hiawatha Fire Department, crews were called to the 2400 block of Wolf Creek Trail at 6:13 p.m. Monday for a report of a grill on fire with the fire spreading to the deck. Responding firefighters were able to observe a column of smoke and requested mutual aid from the Monroe Township and Robins fire departments.

Firefighters met with the homeowner at the scene, who confirmed that no one was in the house. The deck and the back of the house were on fire and the fire had spread into the house, roof and attic.

The fire department said the bulk of the fire was quickly put out. Crews then spent several hours putting out hot spots, remaining on scene until 8:20 p.m. The home sustained significant damage and is uninhabitable, the fire department said.

The fire department said the homeowner, Elizabeth Lehman, reported starting the grill and hearing a 'pop” a short time later before seeing fire. She left the home with her child and neighbors called 911.

Firefighters said the fire started near the grill, but the cause is still under investigation.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said the most common problem firefighters see with grill fires is a buildup of grease on grills without a grease pan, which prevents the grease from dripping down onto a deck.

'Sparks can ignite that grease,” Buelow said. 'That's the reason we see it spreading.”

Issues can also occurred with propane grills if there is a leak in the hose. Buelow suggested rubbing a soap solution on the hose before turning on the grill. If bubbles appear, there's a leak in the hose, he said.

Especially this time of year when leaves and branches are drier, Buelow said grills should be used away from the home, deck railings, eaves, branches or other combustibles.

When it comes to charcoal grills, Buelow said the most common fire-related issue involves the improper disposal of charcoal. He said the city averages about three fires a year due to people disposing charcoal - which can smolder for hours or even days - into improper receptacles or near combustibles.

With the weather turning cooler and more people using fire pits, Buelow said those items should be placed at least 15 feet away from any building. Leaves should not be burned in fire pits and a water supply should be kept nearby.

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