Iowa City fire victims wants answers as police search for witness

IOWA CITY – Police and fire officials are actively searching for a man they believe may know how a weekend apartment fire started.

Iowa City fire crews responded to the scene at 421 South Dodge Street shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday.

“They know who they are and we need to talk to them as a witness, and hope they'll come forward for themselves,” said Sgt. Denise Brotherton of the Iowa City Police Department.

The witness is described as an older white man, between 5-feet 10-inches and 6-feet tall, with a beard and long hair and wearing a dark-colored coat and pants. Brotherton said police believe the witness is a transient man who may not be from around here.

Residents of the apartment building are frustrated by the situation, and want answers into how their home was destroyed.

“I am kind of bummed out, this has never happened to me before,” said David Pope who had lived on the buildings second floor. “You're in shock, and you never wish this upon anybody.”

Pope said he was not at the apartment when the fire started, but said his roommate was.

“He just heard two loud bangs and then he heard the smoke detectors,” he said. “I don't know much more about the situation except that I heard a homeless guy was around?”

At this point police wont say whether or not they believe the man started the fire that left about a dozen people without a home. Fire officials said the cause remains under investigation.

Records show police responded to the same address earlier in the evening after a resident and a “transient” male got into an altercation in a nearby park.