New duplex in southeast Cedar Rapids destroyed by fire

Fire destroyed a duplex with an estimated value of $800,000 near Cedar Rapids overnight, just weeks before the future homeowners planned to move in.

West Bertram firefighters responded around 4:30 a.m. Monday to a new development on Meadow Grass Circle, just off Rosedale Road on the eastern fringe of Cedar Rapids. By the time they arrived, some flames were showing, but the structure had mostly burned down to its foundation.

Fire Capt. Rick Jurgens said Skogman Homes still owned the property, but the future owners were supposed to move in within three weeks. Workers were wrapping up construction work on the duplex.

“It was in painting mode,” Jurgens said.

The duplex was the first to be built on the wooded property. A newspaper delivery driver spotted the flames and called 911, Jurgens said.

The blaze was still smoldering around mid-day Monday. An investigator with the State Fire Marshal's office was on the scene snapping pictures.

Jurgens said the cause was under investigation, but said the fire was not classified as suspicious at this time. No one was injured in the incident.

[mqMap key="QU89" width="485" height="420" src="http://www.mapquest.com/embed?icid=mqdist_mb_wp&c=QU89&maptype=map&zm=15&cr=41.977126174658345,-91.58129952911374&projection=sm&showScale=false"]My New Map[/mqMap]