Kitchen fire displaces Cedar Rapids family

Seven people were displaced but no one was injured after fire broke out inside a kitchen over the weekend, officials said.

Firefighters rushed to 2026 Eastern Blvd. SE around 7:45 a.m. Sunday and found heavy smoke and fire in the kitchen area. Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the first crews to arrive found most of the fire behind the stove and refrigerator. It had already spread to nearby cabinets.

The residents of the home, Chris Gehrke, 29, and Erica Gehrke, 30, woke up to find smoke in the kitchen, according to Buelow. They got their five children, ranging in age from one to eight years old, outside safely and called 911 from a cell phone, Buelow said. Two cats also escaped the blaze.

Firefighters were able to keep most of the fire damage inside the kitchen, but the entire first floor sustained smoke damage, Buelow said. The property is owned by Gary and Katherine Goldstein, of Cedar Rapids, according to the City Assessor.

Investigators learned that a smoke alarm in the hallway next to the kitchen did not sound because it was missing a battery, Buelow said.

The American Red Cross was assisting the Gehrke family, officials said. Officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire.