Man critically injured in Coralville apartment fire

CORALVILLE - A man was critically injured in a Coralville apartment fire early Sunday morning.

Coralville Fire Chief Dave Stannard said crews responded to a fire at 401 Fourth Ave. at 12:49 a.m. Stannard said the fire originated in a second story apartment of the eight-unit building.

Stannard said a man inside the unit was awakened by neighbors, crawled out to his balcony and fell off. The man suffered burn injuries, as well.

'I know he's in critical shape,” said Stannard.

The unit where the fire started was destroyed, Stannard said. An adjacent unit had minor damage from water and from crews tearing into the roof of the building to attack the fire. A unit below the apartment where the fire originated also took on some water damage.

Stannard said residents of the affected units will be displaced until the roof can be repaired and utilities are restored.

The fire was accidental and investigators are working to determine the cause, but Stannard believes it started in the kitchen, he said.

It is unclear whether smoke alarms were working in the unit where the fire started, Stannard said.

The Iowa City, Tiffin and North Liberty fire departments also responded to the fire. There were no other reported injuries.

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